# NTSB CHI01LA062: Cessna 152, N5394Q, Mattoon, IL, January 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 10, 2001, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Mattoon, IL - Coordinates: 39.470184, -88.360122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4702&lon=-88.3601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Springfield, Illinois FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51352 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51352/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA062 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the crosswind, the pilots lack of total experience, and the snow covered terrain adjacent to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis On the take off portion of a touch-and-go, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and the nose gear collapsed as the aircraft traveled through the snow adjacent to the runway. The student pilot said that he had been practicing maneuvers and returned to the airport to land. The pilot said that the first landing after returning, was, "...somewhat rough...." The pilot said, "After landing I felt that conditions were too windy for flying without an instructor, however the hobbs time indicated that I still had time for a few more touch-n-go's so I went ahead and flew 2 more." The pilot said that after the third landing, the aircraft was slightly off centerline and he corrected and applied full power for takeoff. At this time, the aircraft turned left and the pilot attempted to correct, "...but it wouldn't correct. I froze at the controls and the airplane veered to the left side of the runway, hit the snow and stopped suddenly." No preexisting anomalies were detected with respect to the aircraft and the pilot reported none. The student pilot listed his total flight experience as 18.7 hours with 2.4 hours as pilot in command. The winds at the airport were 200 degrees magnetic at 12 knots and the pilot was taking off on runway 24. ## Factual narrative On January 10, 2001, at 1045 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5394Q, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go on runway 24 (5,799 feet by 100 feet) at the Coles County Memorial Airport, Mattoon, Illinois. The student pilot was attempting to takeoff when the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and the nose gear collapsed as the aircraft traveled through the snow adjacent to the runway. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at about 1015. In a written statement the student pilot said that he had been practicing maneuvers and returned to the airport to land. The pilot said that the first landing after returning, was, "...somewhat rough...." The pilot said, "After landing I felt that conditions were too windy for flying without an instructor, however the hobbs time indicated that I still had time for a few more touch-n-go's so I went ahead and flew 2 more." The pilot said that after the third landing, the aircraft was slightly off centerline and he corrected and applied full power for takeoff. At this time, the aircraft turned left and the pilot attempted to correct, "...but it wouldn't correct. I froze at the controls and the airplane veered to the left side of the runway, hit the snow and stopped suddenly." A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and no preexisting anomalies were detected with respect to the aircraft. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties. In his written report, the student pilot listed his total flight experience as 18.7 hours with 2.4 hours as pilot in command. The weather report for the accident airport listed the wind as 200 degrees magnetic at 12 knots at 1053 cst. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5394Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5394Q-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 15285108, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - 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: 15285108 - Airframe hours: 6273 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Central Illinois Air Corp. - Registered owner: Rick Reed - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2000, 42.5 hours before - Departed: MTO, Mattoon, IL - Airport: MTO, Coles County Memorial, runway 24, 5,799 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: MTO ## 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 20010110038229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010110038229A), Jan 10, 2001: Cessna 152, Mattoon Charles, IL, No damage. (-23) On 01-10-2001 at approximately 1045 CST a Cessna 152 being flown by a student pilot was practicing touch and go landings on runway 24. On the third… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.