# NTSB FTW97LA024: Cessna 152, N5463L, Clinton, AR, October 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 1996, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Clinton, AR - Coordinates: 35.580463, -92.450172 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5805&lon=-92.4502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20100/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA024 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to obtain or maintain sufficient airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted ## Analysis Witnesses at an airport reported that the pilot was executing touch and go landings on runway 31. The witnesses added that on the flight's third landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced twice. According to the pilot, on the second bounce, the airplane touched down on the left main tire, bouncing the airplane to the left. The airplane was observed in a nose high attitude as full power was heard being applied to abort the landing. Witnesses stated that the flaps remained extended as the airplane 'hung on its prop as it labored to stay airborne at approximately 100 feet off the ground.' The airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline and headed towards a barn and a line of tall trees at the departure end of the runway. On an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that 'with the flaps down, I could not gain the airspeed or altitude need[ed] to get over a line of trees in front of the aircraft.' The pilot added that the left wing impacted the ground as he attempted to maneuver to avoid the obstacles. ## Factual narrative On October 18, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5463L, was destroyed while landing near Clinton, Arkansas. The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the Clinton Municipal Airport in Clinton, Arkansas, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane was executing touch and go landings on runway 31. The witnesses added that on the flight's third landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced twice. According to the pilot, on the second bounce, the airplane touched down on the left main tire, bouncing the airplane to the left. Witnesses stated that the airplane assumed a nose high attitude as full power was heard being applied to abort the landing. Witnesses stated that the flaps remained extended as the airplane "hung on its prop as it labored to stay airborne at approximately 100 feet off the ground." The airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline and headed towards a red barn and a line of tall trees at the departure end of the runway. On the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that "with the flaps down, I could not gain the airspeed or altitude need[ed] to get over a line of trees in front of the aircraft." The pilot added that the left wing impacted the ground as he attempted to maneuver to avoid the obstacles. The pilot told local law enforcement officers who responded to the accident that "he elected to nose the airplane over and land on the field short of the trees to avoid crashing into the trees." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5463L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5463L-1996-12-18), registration cancelled 1996-12-18, S/N 15284319 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 152-84319 - Airframe hours: 3997 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-E 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald W. Warren - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1996, 15 hours before - Departed: 4M4 - Airport: 4M4, Clinton Municipal, runway 31, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLP, 25 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 19961018033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961018033159A), Oct 18, 1996: Cessna 152, Clinton, AR, No damage. Aircraft landing bounced, yawed across the runway, powered up in order to straighten up, then pushed into ground. (-23) student pilot landed hard in gusty… ## Other investigations on N5463L (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 CHI91LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA295), Sep 19, 1991: Cessna 152 (N5463L), Marion, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN FROM A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING. 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.