- Date
- May 25, 2009, 14:01 local (18:01 UTC)
- Place
- Lumberton, NJ
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N49396Cessna 152
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 9, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/ FSDO
- FAA report
- 20090525009689A
- Case key
- 73898
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 pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of adequate airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was performing a soft-field takeoff. He stated that the winds were variable at 3 knots. He lowered 10 degrees of wing flaps, applied full back pressure on the control column, and applied full engine power. The airplane became airborne, went out of ground effect, and then stalled. The airplane spun to the left, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that he had no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings and to the engine firewall.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was performing a soft field takeoff. He stated the winds were variable at 3 knots. He lowered 10 degrees of wing flaps, applied full back pressure on the control column, and applied full engine power. The airplane became airborne, went out of ground effect, and stalled. The airplane spun to the left, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot reported he had no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings, and to the engine firewall.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N49396
- Reported as
- Cessna 152
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15283453
- Airframe hours
- 6,043
- Engine
- Lycoming o-235, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Cave Flight School, LLC
- Registered owner
- Cave Flight School, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · May 15, 2009 · 32 hours before
- Departed
- N14 · Lumberton, NJ
- Destination
- N14 · Lumberton, NJ
- Airport
- N14 · Flying W Airport, runway 01, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 17
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 1, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- May 10, 2009
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 55 total · 55 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- VAY, 5 nm away
Docket · 4
The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.2 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N49396 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.