# NTSB IAD98LA088: Cessna 152, N89074, Culpeper, VA, August 1, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1998, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Culpeper, VA
- Coordinates: 38.469493, -78.00061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4695&lon=-78.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA088

## Probable cause

Failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.  A related factor was wind gusts.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, as he began the takeoff roll on runway 4, the airplane started to yaw to the left.  He said the throttle was at full power, and he corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, onto the grass, struck a ditch and nosed over.   He reported over 30 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours in make and model, and 7 hours of solo flight experience.  He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. The reported weather at the time of the accident was winds from 020 at 10 knots with wind gusts to 14 knots.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1998, at 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N89074, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during the takeoff roll at the Culpeper County Airport, Culpeper, Virginia.  The certificated student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as he began the takeoff roll on runway 4, the airplane started to yaw to the left.  He said the throttle was at full power, and he corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, onto the grass, struck a ditch and nosed over.

The pilot reported over 30 hours of total flight experience, including 17 hours in make and model, and 7 hours of solo flight experience.  He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.  The reported weather at the time of the accident was winds from 020 at 10 knots with wind gusts to 14 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89074](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89074-2008-06-16), registration cancelled 2008-06-16, S/N 15282619, built 1978 (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: 15282619
- Airframe hours: 6008
- Engines: Lycoming 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aero Safety Flight Training
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1998, 53 hours before
- Departed: CJR
- Airport: CJR, Culpeper Co, runway 4, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 17 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CJR

## 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 19980801019299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801019299A), Aug 1, 1998: Cessna 152, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 1, 1998, at 1410 eastern daylight time a Cessna 152, N89074, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during the takeoff roll at…

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.

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