# NTSB GAA17CA051: Cessna 152, N488E, Chickaloon, AK, October 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2016, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.790832, -148.353881 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7908&lon=-148.3539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94320/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94320 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA051 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delay in aborting the takeoff from a turf runway, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 895 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,387 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,557 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that during a soft field takeoff on a private 1,800-foot turf airstrip, with 10 degrees of flaps, the airplane wheels lifted off the ground so he relaxed back pressure on the yoke, and the airplane settled back onto the ground. He further reported that after the airplane lifted off and settled back onto the ground a second time, he decided to abort the takeoff by reducing the power to idle, but the airplane lifted off the ground momentarily and settled onto the ground for a third time. The pilot firmly applied the brakes, but the airplane overran the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor further reported that he admits that he was late in deciding to abort the takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3B (2016). This handbook discusses pilot actions after liftoff during soft field takeoffs and states in part: After the airplane becomes airborne, the pilot should gently lower the nose with the wheels clear of the surface to allow the airplane to accelerate to VY, or VX if obstacles must be cleared. Immediately after the airplane becomes airborne and while it accelerates, the pilot should be aware that, while transitioning out of the ground effect area, the airplane will have a tendency to settle back onto the surface. An attempt to climb prematurely or too steeply may cause the airplane to settle back to the surface as a result of the loss of ground effect. During the transition out of the ground effect area, the pilot should not attempt to climb out of ground effect before reaching the sufficient climb airspeed, as this may result in the airplane being unable to climb further, even with full power applied. Therefore, it is essential that the airplane remain in ground effect until at least VX is reached. This requires a good understanding of the control pressures, aircraft responses, visual clues, and acceleration characteristics of that particular airplane. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that during a soft field takeoff on a private 1,800-foot turf airstrip, with 10 degrees of flaps, the airplane wheels lifted off the ground so he relaxed back pressure on the yoke, and the airplane settled back onto the ground. He further reported that after the airplane lifted off and settled back onto the ground a second time, he decided to abort the takeoff by reducing the power to idle, but the airplane lifted off the ground momentarily and settled onto the ground for a third time. The pilot firmly applied the brakes, but the airplane overran the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor further reported that he admits that he was late in deciding to abort the takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3B (2016). This handbook discusses pilot actions after liftoff during soft field takeoffs and states in part: After the airplane becomes airborne, the pilot should gently lower the nose with the wheels clear of the surface to allow the airplane to accelerate to VY, or VX if obstacles must be cleared. Immediately after the airplane becomes airborne and while it accelerates, the pilot should be aware that, while transitioning out of the ground effect area, the airplane will have a tendency to settle back onto the surface. An attempt to climb prematurely or too steeply may cause the airplane to settle back to the surface as a result of the loss of ground effect. During the transition out of the ground effect area, the pilot should not attempt to climb out of ground effect before reaching the sufficient climb airspeed, as this may result in the airplane being unable to climb further, even with full power applied. Therefore, it is essential that the airplane remain in ground effect until at least VX is reached. This requires a good understanding of the control pressures, aircraft responses, visual clues, and acceleration characteristics of that particular airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N488E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N488E), registered now, S/N 15279654, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - 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: 15279654 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 6518 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kingdom Air Corps - Registered owner: Kingdom Air Corps - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2016 - Departed: AK59, Chickaloon, AK - Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK - Airport: AK59, King Ranch, runway 06, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 707 total, 276 in this make and model, 657 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22 total, 4 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.20 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 24 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 20161014021439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161014021439A), Oct 14, 2016: Cessna 152, Chickaloon, AK, Substantial damage. Cessna N488E began to develop lift on departure of runway 06. Backpressure was relaxed to hold aircraft in ground effect to increase airspeed to obtain a safe… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94320. 673 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Flight Instructor) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF 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.