# NTSB FTW99LA195: Cessna 152, N5144L, Frisco, TX, July 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 1999, 14:56 local (19:56 UTC) - Place: Frisco, TX - Coordinates: 33.140903, -96.809936 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1409&lon=-96.8099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46851/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA195 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the simulated soft field takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - soft field takeoff/procedure - simulated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 49-hour student pilot lost directional control of the airplane during a practice soft field takeoff on runway 17. According to the student pilot, after the nose wheel lifted off of the ground, the airplane veered to left of the runway and came to rest nose low in a ditch. The pilot added that he 'lost control of the aircraft.' The wind reported at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 1999, at 1456 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N5144L, was substantially damaged when it veered into a drainage ditch during takeoff from the Frisco Airport, Frisco, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by Monarch Aviation of Addison, Texas. The local solo flight originated from Addison at 1415. According to the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 49-hour student pilot reported making a full stop landing on runway 17. He taxied back to the departure end of the runway to practice a soft field takeoff. The pilot stated that there was a "normal acceleration." At 55 knots, he began to pull back on the control yoke. The airplane's nose wheel lifted off of the ground, and the main landing gear wheels remained on the runway surface. The pilot added that within "one second the aircraft was completely deviated to the left" and impacted a drainage ditch to the left of the runway. The airplane came to rest nose low in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The pilot added that he "lost control of the aircraft." An aircraft mechanic stated that the right wing spar was bent up, the left wing was damaged, the firewall was buckled, and the propeller was damaged. At 1447, the wind reported at the Addison Airport (located 10 miles south of Frisco) was from 190 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5144L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5144L), registered now, S/N 15284270, built 1980 (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: 15284270 - Airframe hours: 7516 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Monarch Aviation - Registered owner: Sierra Papa, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX - Airport: DDJ, Frisco County, runway 17, 5,450 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ADS, 10 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 19990721042779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990721042779A), Jul 21, 1999: Cessna 152, Frisco, TX, No damage. (-23) The pilot lost directional control during a practice soft field takeoff, with the nose wheel elevated, before becoming fully airborne. The a/c exited the… ## Other investigations on N5144L (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 ATL06CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA018), Nov 5, 2005: Cessna 152 (N5144L), Durham, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare on landing flare touchdown resulting in a hard landing and collapse of the nose gear. 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.