# NTSB FTW96LA225: Cessna 152, N52MA, Bridgeport, TX, May 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1996, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.200656, -97.749855 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2007&lon=-97.7499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19848/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA225 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper preflight by failing to ensure the mixture control was properly set before takeoff, and his failure to abort the takeoff (while there was sufficient runway remaining). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While taxiing, the student pilot leaned the fuel/air mixture. He did not recall enrichening the mixture prior to takeoff. The pilot said that during the takeoff roll, he heard a noise that could have been from a lean mixture setting. When the cockpit control panel was examined, the mixture control was found in a leaned position. Witnesses stated that the airplane's engine did not sound like it was at full throttle. They also stated that the airplane 'wallowed' at about 10 feet AGL all the way down the 4,009 foot runway. The airplane impacted the trees at the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1996, at 1750 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N52MA, owned and operated by Bridgeport Flight Training Center, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Bridgeport Municipal Airport in Bridgeport, Texas. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local solo instructional flight. A flight plan was not filed. The student pilot was practicing short field takeoffs. According to witnesses, the airplane did not sound like it was at full power during the takeoff roll. The witnesses stated that, although the airplane did get airborne, it seemed to "wallow" at about 10 feet AGL all the way down the 4,009 foot runway. The pilot reported that, after he rotated and became airborne, "the aircraft just started to sink and loose airspeed. I tried to keep it up as much [as] I could, but to no response." He further reported that he "continued in this state, proceeding down the runway not aware of my close proximity to the trees." The airplane impacted the trees at the end of the runway. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot said that, "he had been taxiing with the mixture partially to the lean position and did not remember if he pushed it all the way rich prior to takeoff, and during [the] roll down [the] runway he heard a noise that could have been from a lean mixture setting." Inspection by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing was "broken" at the outboard end of the flap with the tip bent back towards the tail, and the area from the cockpit control panel forward separated from the fuselage. The airplane contained fuel, although the exact amount could not be determined due to leakage from broken fuel system components. When the cockpit area was examined, the mixture control was in a leaned position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52MA-2003-03-27), registration cancelled 2003-03-27, S/N 152-83231 (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: 152-83231 - Airframe hours: 11195 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bridgeport Flight Training Ctr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1996, 31 hours before - Departed: 1F9 - Airport: 1F9, Bridgeport Municipal, runway 17, 4,009 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 2 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19960523011489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960523011489A), May 23, 1996: Cessna 152, Bridgeport, TX, Substantial damage. Not developing full power on takeoff roll. Failed to abort. Struck trees on climbout. (-23) on 05/23/96, at 1650 CDT, a Cessna 152, N52MA, registered to… ## Other investigations on N52MA (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 DEN87LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA198), Jul 25, 1987: Cessna 152 (N52MA), Watkins, 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.