# NTSB LAX98LA024: Cessna 152, N49788, Prescott, AZ, October 28, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1997, 09:41 local (16:41 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619499, -112.419761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6195&lon=-112.4198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA024

## Probable cause

The student's inadvertent application of left brake during touchdown, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The instructor reported that the student flared abruptly and the aircraft ballooned.  As the aircraft touched down, it immediately turned violently to the left.  The instructor said he got on the controls and applied right rudder to stop the turn; however, the aircraft left the paved surface, encountered a drainage swale in the grassy area between the runways, and nosed over.  The instructor stated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On October 28, 1997, at 0941 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N49788, veered off runway 21R during landing, collided with a ditch and nosed over at the Prescott, Arizona, airport.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The flight instructor and the dual student were not injured.  The local area instructional flight originated at Prescott at 0900.

The instructor reported that the student flared abruptly and the aircraft ballooned.  As the aircraft touched down, it immediately turned violently to the left.  The instructor said he got on the controls and applied right rudder to stop the turn; however, the aircraft left the paved surface, encountered a drainage swale in the grassy area between the runways, and nosed over.  The instructor stated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49788](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49788-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 15283515, built 1979 (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: 15283515
- Airframe hours: 5662
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Meinke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1997, 72 hours before
- Departed: PRC
- Airport: PRC, Ernest Love Field, runway 21R, 4,842 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 932 total, 69 in this make and model, 801 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC

## 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 19971028031059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971028031059A), Oct 28, 1997: Cessna 152, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Veeered off runway into a ditch during landing roll. (.4) the instructor reported that the student flared abruptly and the aircraft ballooned. As the aircraft…

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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