# NTSB LAX97LA233: Cessna 152, N64954, Madera, CA, July 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1997, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Coordinates: 37.040542, -120.03054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0405&lon=-120.0305&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29829/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA233 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - abort - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The student pilot reported looking at the windsock and noted that the winds were straight down the runway, and the previous takeoffs and landings had been very smooth. He stated that the aircraft was in the initial climb when he felt a sinking sensation and the airplane began drifting off the right side of the runway. Attempts to correct the drift were unsuccessful and he elected to abort the takeoff. Following touchdown the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway, across a dirt area, and collided with a dirt berm. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1997, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N64954, veered off runway 30 and collided with an embankment during an attempted aborted takeoff at the Madera, California, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Fresno, California, airport at 1530. In his written report, the student pilot said he looked at the windsock and noted that the winds were straight down the runway, and the previous takeoffs and landings had been "very smooth." He reported, "after touchdown I applied full throttle and pulled up at rotation speed. . .I pulled back to 67 knots and was about 20 feet off the deck, when the plane hit a slight nose down and hard pull to the right." He said that he felt a sinking sensation and the aircraft began drifting off the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct the drift with aileron and rudder, but was unable to stop the movement. He then pulled the throttle and attempted to land. Following touchdown, the aircraft veered off the pavement, across a dirt area, and hit an embankment. In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office, the student pilot reported that on the third touch-and-go takeoff, ". . . the aircraft nose went down when the aircraft was approximately 50 feet in the air." The inspector examined the aircraft and reported that no pre-existing anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64954-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15281498, 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: 15281498 - Airframe hours: 5143 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Majestic Skies Aviation - Registered owner: Keith A. Rahn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1997, 95 hours before - Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA - Destination: MAE - Airport: MAE, Madera, runway 30, 4,544 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 45 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 19970702025849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970702025849A), Jul 2, 1997: Cessna 152, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. Student encountered sudden xwind landing. Left runway. Hit embankment. Possible dust devil crossing runway. 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.