# NTSB CHI94LA342: Cessna 152, N67324, Plainwell, MI, September 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1994, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Plainwell, MI - Coordinates: 42.440685, -85.640678 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4407&lon=-85.6407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA342 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY ON ITS MAIN LANDING GEAR WITH NORMAL AIRSPEED. AFTER THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, IT BEGAN TO SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IN AN EFFORT TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF THE NOSE WHEEL, THE PILOT PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. AS HE PULLED BACK, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1994, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N67324, sustained substantial damage while landing at Otsego-Plainwell Municipal Airport, Plainwell, Michigan. The solo student pilot reported no injuries. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan. The local flight originated from Plainwell, Michigan, at 1830. In a written statement, the student pilot reported the airplane touched down on runway 27 (2,650' x 50') on its main landing gear with normal airspeed. The pilot stated the nose wheel began to shake after it touched down and the brakes were applied. In an effort to relieve pressure off the nose wheel, he pulled back on the yoke. As he pulled back, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot stated he was unable to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The nose wheel dug into the soft ground and the airplane came to rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67324](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67324), registered now, S/N 15281755, built 1978 (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: 15281755 - Airframe hours: 4862 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Plainwell Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 1994, 58 hours before - Airport: 61D, Plainwell Municipal, runway 27, 2,650 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19940921029799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940921029799A), Sep 21, 1994: Cessna 152, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Nose wheel shimmy on landing roll. Pulled back yoke to stop shimmy. Lost control. Left runway and nosed over. ## Other investigations on N67324 (1) 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 ERA12LA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA405), Jun 16, 2012: Cessna 152 (N67324), Miami, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots’ operation of the airplane with an insufficient supply of engine oil, resulting in engine seizure and total loss of engine power. 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.