# NTSB CHI94LA063: Cessna 152, N5329B, Casselton, ND, January 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1994, 19:00 local (Jan 13, 1994, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Casselton, ND - Coordinates: 46.929294, -96.829681 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9293&lon=-96.8297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9452/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA063 ## Probable cause the student's failure to attain proper runway alignment and to maintain directional control. A factor related to the accident was the snow covered runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING A NIGHT LANDING ON A RUNWAY WITH COMPACTED, PATCHY, SNOW AREAS. HE SAID HIS FINAL APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN WERE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY'S CENTERLINE. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE BEGAN ROLLING ON A SNOW BANK THAT PROTRUDED APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET INWARD FROM THE RUNWAY'S EDGE. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY WHEN THE AIRPLANE PIVOTED ON THE LEFT TIRE THAT BECAME STUCK IN THE SNOW BANK. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1994, at 1900 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 152, N5329B, registered to Aircraft Investments, Incorporated, of Casselton, North Dakota, and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during landing when it collided with a snow bank on the edge of runway 31 (3,200' X 60' dry concrete with patchy, compacted snow areas) at the Casselton Airport, Casselton, North Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Casselton, North Dakota, at 1730 cst. The pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 revealed the airplane was left of centerline during the final approach to landing. He stated: "After touchdown I noticed I was to far left and attempted to turn right but nothing happened, it was if I was being pulled left by a tractor beam or something." The fixed base operator (FBO) owning N5329B stated the airplane's left tire started riding up the snow bank shortly after touchdown. He said the tire track in the snow bank was approximately 100 feet long. He stated the left tire dug into the snow bank and caused the airplane to pivot to the left. During the pivoting action, the airplane's right wing collided with the runway. The snow bank extended inward from the runway's edge approximately three feet and was 16 inches deep at its highest point, according to the FBO owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5329B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5329B-2009-10-22), registration cancelled 2009-10-22, S/N 15283837, built 1979 (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: 152283837 - Airframe hours: 4800 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aircraft Investments, Inc. - Registered owner: Aircraft Investments, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1993, 20 hours before - Airport: 5N8, Casselton Regional, runway 31, 3,200 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 49 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 270° at 2 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast - Temperature: -8 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940112000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940112000479A), Jan 12, 1994: Cessna 152, Casselton, ND, Substantial damage. Landing at night on compacted snow on runway. Hit snowbank. Landed lift off center. Wheel rode up on snow. Wing hit ## Other investigations on N5329B (2) 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. - [NTSB MKC89LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA069), Mar 1, 1989: Cessna 152 (N5329B), Crookston, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ICY/SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. - [NTSB DEN82DA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA097), May 26, 1982: Cessna 152 (N5329B), Grand Forks, ND, substantial damage 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.