# NTSB ERA19CA148: Cessna 152, N68727, Lancaster, PA, April 8, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 8, 2019, 09:32 local (13:32 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, PA - Coordinates: 40.118888, -76.299446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1189&lon=-76.2994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 99245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99245/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99245 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19CA148 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway marker. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was conducting solo touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. During the landing roll of the eighth touch-and-go landing, he retracted the flaps to 0° and applied full engine power for takeoff. The airplane began drifting "hard" to the left, and he applied right rudder; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, impacted a runway marker, and came to rest in a nose-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was conducting solo touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. During the landing roll of the eighth touch-and-go landing, he retracted the flaps to 0° and applied full engine power for takeoff. The airplane began drifting "hard" to the left and he applied right rudder, however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, impacted a runway marker, and came to rest in a nose down attitude." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68727](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68727-2020-08-07), registration cancelled 2020-08-07, S/N 15282340, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 (No Series) - 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: 15282340 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 10963.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 6, 2019 - Departed: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Airport: LNS, Lancaster, runway 13, 4,102 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: LNS ## 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 20190408002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190408002619A), Apr 8, 2019: Cessna 152, Lititz, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot was conducting touch and go's in a Cessna 152 on runway 13 at klns from about 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on April 8, 2019. On his eighth touch and go he was… ## Other investigations on N68727 (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 NYC07CA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA013), Oct 27, 2006: Cessna 152 (N68727), Lancaster, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a nosegear collapse during landing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99245. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Observation (item 4, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484689&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observation-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.