CHI94LA170

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Harlan, IA · May 23, 1994

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 23, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
Place
Harlan, IA
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N80812Cessna 152
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 14, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
9539

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. A factor related to the accident was the wet runway surface.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

OverrunTakeoff - aborted
Terrain condition - wetFactor
Terrain condition - bermFactor
On ground/water collision with objectTakeoff - aborted
Object - fence post
Remedial action - delayedPilot in command(cfi)Cause

Analysis

The certified flight instructor aborted the soft field takeoff on the instructional flight when the airplane had not become airborne at a predetermined point on the runway. According to the instructor, the airplane slid slightly on the wet, grass runway after the power was reduced to idle and the brakes were applied heavily. In an attempt to prevent the propeller from striking a fence located at the end of the runway, the instructor steered the airplane to the left. The airplane impacted a fence post, bending the tail to the left. No preimpact mechanical abnormalities were reported.

Factual narrative

On May 23, 1994, about 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N80812, was substantially damaged when it struck a fence post during an aborted soft field takeoff at Rushenberg Field, Harlan, Iowa. Neither the certificated flight instructor nor the commercial pilot, who was receiving dual instruction, were injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight originated from Omaha, Nebraska, without flight plan and operated in visual meteorological conditions.

According to the flight instructor, once the airplane did not become airborne at a predetermined point on the runway, he aborted the takeoff roll by reducing the power to idle and applying the brakes heavily. The airplane slid slightly on the wet, grass runway, but did not stop. In an attempt to prevent the propeller from striking a fence located at the end of the runway, the instructor steered the airplane to the left. The airplane impacted a fence post, bending the tail to the left. No preimpact mechanical abnormalities were reported by either pilot.

Aircraft

Registration
N80812
Reported as
Cessna 152
Category
Airplane
Serial number
152-85368
Airframe hours
7,056
Engine
Lycoming O-235-L2C, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Sky Harbor Air Service, Inc.
Registered owner
Sky Harbor Air Service, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
Annual · March 14, 1994 · 75 hours before
Departed
OMA · Omaha, NE
Airport
HNR · Harlan Municipal, runway 24, 1,760 × 120 ft, grass/turf

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
32
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,230 total · 379 in this make and model · 1,118 as pilot in command · 255 in the last 90 days · 68 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
160° at 5 knots
Visibility
30 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
68 °F, dew point 59 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg