GAA16CA336

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 152 · Delta, CO · June 25, 2016

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
June 25, 2016, 13:18 local (19:18 UTC)
Place
Delta, CO
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N152LCessna 152
Defining event
Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 3, 2016
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20160625006719A
Case key
93473

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during the initial climb in tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings · 4

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: angle of attackAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceededCessna 152: 6 casesAll aircraft: 990 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 152: 115 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Wind: gustsEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipmentCessna 152: 14 casesAll aircraft: 1,199 cases
Wind: tailwindEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipmentCessna 152: 2 casesAll aircraft: 594 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported he taxied to the end of the runway for a full length departure and during the initial climb the wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind. The pilot initially reported that during the initial climb, there were no aerodynamic stall indications, but during a follow-up interview he reported that "the airplane definitely stalled." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain in a vacant lot north of the runway and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 4 miles to the northeast, revealed that, about 3 minutes before the accident the wind was 260 degrees true at 13 knots, with gust 17 knots, and wind variable direction from 210 to 280. The airplane departed runway 4. According to a witness on the ground, who was an airline transport pilot with about 22,000 hours of flight time, the airplane taxied onto runway 4 at the midfield point and applied takeoff power. The witness further reported that the he heard the power reduced and then re-applied during the takeoff roll. Subsequently, during the initial climb he witnessed the left wing stall, impact the ground, and nose over after the nose wheel collapsed.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported he taxied to the end of the runway for a full length departure and during the initial climb the wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind. The pilot initially reported that during the initial climb, there were no aerodynamic stall indications, but during a follow-up interview he reported that "the airplane definitely stalled." Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain in a vacant lot north of the runway and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 4 miles to the northeast, revealed that, about 3 minutes before the accident the wind was 260 degrees true at 13 knots, with gust 17 knots, and wind variable direction from 210 to 280. The airplane departed runway 4. According to a witness on the ground, who was an airline transport pilot with about 22,000 hours of flight time, the airplane taxied onto runway 4 at the midfield point and applied takeoff power. The witness further reported that the he heard the power reduced and then re-applied during the takeoff roll. Subsequently, during the initial climb he witnessed the left wing stall, impact the ground, and nose over after the nose wheel collapsed.

Aircraft

Registration
N152L
Reported as
Cessna 152 (NO SERIES)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15283964
Built
1979
Engine
Lycoming O-235-L2C, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
D17 · Delta, CO
Destination
99V · Crawford, CO
Airport
D17 · Westwinds, runway 04, 4,100 × 40 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
58
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
February 19, 2015
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
870 total · 460 in this make and model · 793 as pilot in command · 9 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Role
Pilot-rated passenger
Injuries
None
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor, Airline transport
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Right
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
7,330 total · 1,500 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
290° at 9 knots, gusting 23
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
97 °F, dew point 21 °F
Altimeter
30.06 inHg
Observed at
KAJZ, 4 nm away

Docket · 4

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.5 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.