# NTSB BFO93LA115: Cessna 152, N46116, Cuddy, PA, July 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1993, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Cuddy, PA
- Coordinates: 40.349502, -80.159591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3495&lon=-80.1596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA115

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN.  THE PROXIMITY OF THE RAVINE AND TREES TO THE RUNWAY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING FLARE OVER RUNWAY 31, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO DRIFT TO RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.  THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHE TRIED TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A WOODED RAVINE. THE REPORTED WINDS WERE COMING FROM A HEADING OF 240 DEGREES AT A VELOCITY OF 5 KNOTS. THE PILOT SAID THAT THIS FLIGHT WAS HER SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD A TOTAL OF 41 FLIGHT HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46116](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46116-1993-09-07), registration cancelled 1993-09-07, S/N 15283000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1528300
- Airframe hours: 4850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pegasus Aviation
- Registered owner: Prion Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1993, 6 hours before
- Departed: 8G4
- Destination: 8G4
- Airport: AG4, Pittsburgh Metro, runway 31, 4,985 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 41 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGC, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930709023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930709023029A), Jul 9, 1993: Cessna 152, Cuddy, PA, Substantial damage. Drifted on landing flare. Lost control trying to correct. Exited runway landing. Ran down embankment into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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