# NTSB FTW95LA324: Cessna 152, N49209, Raton, NM, July 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 1995, 21:30 local (Jul 29, 1995, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Raton, NM - Coordinates: 36.880294, -104.440498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8803&lon=-104.4405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA324 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19520/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA324 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE FLAPS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - flaps - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RWY 20 TWICE, BUT EXPERIENCED A TAILWIND ON FINAL. SHE THEN SET UP TO LAND ON RWY 25, BUT INITIATED ANOTHER GO-AROUND DUE TO THE WIND. AFTER ADDING FULL POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND, 'TURBULENCE CAUSED MY HAND TO SLIP DOWN ON THE FLAP LEVER GIVING THE AIRCRAFT FULL FLAPS (30 DEGREES).' THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED DOWN THE RUNWAY AND LANDED 'VERY HARD' ON THE GEAR. THE PILOT THEN RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND BROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT TO A FULL STOP. AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT THE PILOT NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE COWLING. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 1995, at 2130 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 152, N49209, was substantially damaged during landing near Raton, New Mexico. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a solo cross country instructional flight by Aims Community College, under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Pueblo, Colorado at 2015 MDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. In the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that she attempted to land on runway 20 twice, but on final approach the aircraft experienced a tailwind. She then set up to land on runway 25, but initiated another go-around due to the wind. She further reported that after adding full power "turbulence caused my hand to slip down on the flap lever giving the aircraft full flaps (30 degrees)." The aircraft porpoised down and into runway 25. The aircraft travelled half the distance down the runway and landed "very hard" on the nose gear and the main landing gear. The pilot reported that she retarded the throttle following the "hard" landing. Post-crash examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed a separated nose gear and structural damage to the fuselage. During the "hard" landing the carburetor was separated and fuel was pumped into the engine nacelle. As the aircraft was rolling down the runway a fire erupted in the nacelle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49209](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49209-2010-02-18), registration cancelled 2010-02-18, S/N 15281194, built 1977 (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: 15281194 - Airframe hours: 6600 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aims Community College - Registered owner: Klm Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1995, 54 hours before - Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO - Destination: RTN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RTN, Raton Municipal, runway 25, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 85 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19950728020899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950728020899A), Jul 28, 1995: Cessna 152, Raton, NM, Substantial damage. Trouble with gusty winds landing. On fourth try bounced and porpoised after hard landing. Crosswind and downwind. ## Other investigations on N49209 (3) 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 DEN89LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA042), Dec 16, 1988: Cessna 152 (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN88LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA019), Nov 4, 1987: Cessna 152 (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN86LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA036), Dec 1, 1985: Cessna 152 II (N49209), Greeley, CO, substantial damage 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.