# NTSB ERA16CA303: Cessna 152G, N4916B, Augusta, ME, July 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2016, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Augusta, ME - Coordinates: 44.320556, -69.797225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3206&lon=-69.7972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for the gusting wind conditions during a short-field landing and the designated pilot examiner's delayed remedial action, which resulted in the wing tip contacting the runway during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taking his private pilot checkride and was demonstrating a short-field landing. During the landing, the wind was gusting, and he decided to go around. During the go-around, the left wing dropped and struck the runway. The designated pilot examiner (DPE) took control of the airplane and completed the go-around. He then returned control of the airplane to the pilot, and the pilot then performed another short-field landing with a full stop. After the full-stop landing, he taxied to the fixed-base operator (FBO) at the airport, and he and the DPE exited the airplane and went into the FBO to complete the paperwork for the check ride. After the DPE had completed the paperwork, the pilot returned to the airplane intending to fly back to his home airport. During his preflight inspection, he noticed that the wing was damaged. Examination of the wing revealed that both wing spars were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taking his private pilot checkride, and was demonstrating a short field landing. During the landing the wind was gusty and he decided to go around. During the go-around, the left wing dropped and struck the runway. The Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) took control of the airplane and completed the go-around. He then returned control of the airplane to the pilot, and the pilot then performed another short field landing with a full stop. After the full stop landing, he taxied to the fixed base operator (FBO) at the airport, and he and the DPE exited the aircraft and went into the FBO to complete the paperwork for the check ride. After the DPE had completed the paperwork, the pilot returned to the airplane with the intent to fly back to his home airport. During his preflight inspection he noticed that the wing was damaged. Examination of the damage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that both wing spars were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4916B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4916B-2020-02-24), registration cancelled 2020-02-24, S/N 15283704, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152G - 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: 15283704 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 13498.5 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: University Flying Club - Registered owner: University Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2016 - Departed: AUG, Augusta, ME - Destination: AUG, Augusta, ME - Airport: AUG, Augusta State, runway 17, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 99 total, 98 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days - Check pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 27, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: AUG ## 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 20160701012879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160701012879A), Jul 1, 2016: Cessna 152, Substantial damage. Student pilot was on his private pilot practical test check ride with the DPE. On approach to land on runway 17, student stated he was performing a short field… ## Other investigations on N4916B (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 GAA19CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA213), Apr 14, 2019: Cessna 152 (N4916B), Bangor, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93905. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records - KAUG METARs and TAFS (item 3, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20KAUG%20METARs%20and%20TAFS-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 6 photos, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.