# NTSB CEN16LA259: Cessna 152, N5331B, Bridgeport, TX, July 8, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 2016, 20:30 local (Jul 8, 2016, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, TX
- Coordinates: 33.180278, -97.828613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1803&lon=-97.8286&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93568/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93568
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA259

## Probable cause

The pilot's unstabilized approach and uneven braking due to insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the bound flap jackscrew, which jammed the flaps and led to the pilot’s inability to operate the airplane normally.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: tE flap actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022752): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022752/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022752/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While performing touch-and-go landings, the private pilot noticed that the ground run was longer than usual and that the airplane had difficultly climbing. He saw that the flaps were still at 30° despite the flap handle being in the "up" position. The pilot then maneuvered to land, but the airplane was higher than normal while approaching the runway. He slipped the airplane down, and the airplane floated down the runway. After the airplane touched down near the end of the runway, the pilot applied the brakes, but he then lost directional control, and the airplane exited the side of the runway. The nosewheel got stuck in the soil, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Examination of the flap assembly revealed that the flap tube assembly on the flap actuator motor was fully extended and bound. The tube assembly was freed mechanically, and the flap actuator motor was then able to move the tube assembly normally. Further examination did not reveal a reason why the tube assembly had become bound. No anomalies were noted with the jackscrew or the flap actuator motor. It is likely that the pilot was confused by the airplane's performance with 30° of flaps while on the approach because it was not what he was used to and that the bound flaps prevented him from getting the airplane to achieve sufficient airspeed for a proper approach and landing, which led to the unstabilized approach and long landing. The pilot's subsequent uneven application of braking resulted in the runway excursion.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 2016, about 2030 central daylight time, Cessna 152 airplane, N5331B, was damaged during a landing at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport (KXBP), Bridgeport, Texas. The private rated pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to US Aviation Group LLC and was operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO), Denton, Texas, about 1945.According to the pilot, on the third touch-and-go to runway 18 at KXBP, the ground run was longer and the airplane had difficultly climbing away from the runway. He saw that the flaps were still at 30° despite the flap handle being in the up position. The pilot then maneuvered to land to runway 36 at KXBP, but was higher than normal while approaching the runway. He slipped the airplane down and the airplane floated down the runway. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway and the when the brakes were applied, the pilot lost control of the airplane. Swerving left and right, the airplane exited the side of the runway. The nose wheel got stuck in the soil and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The flap actuator motor, jackscrew, and flap tube assembly were sent to Textron Aviation for an examination. Under the auspices of inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration, the jackscrew was unboxed and examined. The flap tube assembly on the flap actuator motor was found fully extended and bound. The tube assembly was freed mechanically, and the flap actuator motor was able to move the tube assembly normally. Further examination did not find a reason for why the tube assembly had become bound. No anomalies were detected with the jackscrew or the flap actuator

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5331B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5331B-2021-06-08), registration cancelled 2021-06-08, S/N 15283839, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283839
- Year built: 1979
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DTO, DENTON, TX
- Destination: XBP, BRIDGEPORT, TX
- Airport: XBP, Bridgeport Muni, runway 36, 4,004 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 11 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: KXBP

## 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 20160707011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160707011839A), Jul 7, 2016: Cessna 152, Bridgeport, TX, Destroyed. The pilot was practicing ?touch-and-go? Landings at Bridgeport Municipal Airport (xbp). Upon the third landing, the pilot applied engine power for takeoff…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93568. 3.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Exam (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Exam-Master.PDF

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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