# NTSB ERA10CA369: Cessna 152, N4823B, Indian Head, MD, July 20, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2010, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Indian Head, MD - Coordinates: 38.590938, -77.15023 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5909&lon=-77.1502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA369 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he received a weather briefing that stated there was a convective SIGMET (significant meteorological information) over the airport and the storm would be arriving in about one hour. After receiving the briefing, the pilot performed a preflight check on the airplane, and proceeded to take off on a local solo flight. The pilot stated that during different phases of each traffic pattern, he had difficulty due to the gusty wind conditions. After initiating a go-around on the original departure runway, the pilot elected to set up for a long approach to a different runway. While on final approach, the airplane encountered gusty conditions and the pilot attempted to compensate for a crosswind. During touchdown, the airplane bounced several times, overran the end of the runway, and collided with a small ditch resulting in damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The recorded wind conditions about the time of the accident at an airport 8 miles away indicated a velocity of 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he received a weather briefing that stated there was a convective SIGMET (significant meteorological information) over the airport and the storm would be arriving in about one hour. After receiving the briefing, the pilot preflighted the airplane, and proceeded to take off of runway 18 on a local solo flight. The pilot stated that during different phases of each traffic pattern, he had a difficult time due to the gusty wind conditions. On final approach to runway 18, he realized that the airspeed and altitude of the airplane were too high and he initiated a go-around. The pilot stated that he recognized "the difficultly landing in gusty conditions" and requested assistance over the UNICOM frequency. A pilot, who was required to monitor the solo flight, advised the student pilot to fly away from the airport and set up for a long final approach to runway 36. On final approach, the pilot of the accident airplane stated that he "continued to encounter gusty conditions" and was advised to lower the left wing of the airplane to compensate for the crosswind. The pilot stated when the airplane first touched down, it was a "rough landing," and "the airplane bounced a few times." The airplane overran the end of the runway and hit a small ditch damaging the firewall. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. Winds, recorded at an airport 8 miles to the northwest about the time of the accident, were from 260 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4823B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4823B-2018-04-25), registration cancelled 2018-04-25, S/N 15283656, 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: 15283656 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2W5, Indian Head, MD - Destination: 2W5, Indian Head, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2W5, Maryland Airport, runway 36, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 30 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: DAA, 8 nm away ## 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 20100720043229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100720043229A), Jul 20, 2010: Cessna 152, Indian Head, MD, Substantial damage. While practicing take-offs and landings in the pattern at Maryland Airport (2W5) the weather changed and the winds increased from 2 knots to nw at 10 T0 15… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76705. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 3, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Owner/DPE Statement (item 4, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Owner%2FDPE%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports - DAA METARs (item 5, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20-%20DAA%20METARs-Master.PDF - U.S. Radar Plots (item 6, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=U.S.%20Radar%20Plots-Master.PDF - Photograph 1 - Firewall Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%20-%20Firewall%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.