# NTSB MIA95LA119: Cessna 152, N4778B, West Palm Beach, FL, April 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1995, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Location: 26.7153° N, 80.0534° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Palm Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7153&lon=-80.0534&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA119

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING ATTEMPT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND, ABORTED THE G0-AROUND, AND STRUCK AN AIRPORT SIGN OFF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On April 14, 1995, about 1215 eastern daylight time, N4778B, a Cessna 152 registered to Chandelle Aviation Inc. experienced gear damage on landing at West Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated about 1 hour earlier.

The student stated that while attempting a landing he lost control of the airplane and the airplane started drifting to the right. He then attempted a go-around and the airplane drifted and started to sink. The student then reduced engine power to idle and attempted to land.  The airplane then struck an airport sign and landed off the runway. The main landing gear attachment fixture was damaged, and the airport sign was destroyed. The damage to the airplane was not determined to be substantial until April 12, 1995.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4778B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4778B-2007-06-20), registration cancelled 2007-06-20, S/N 15283629, 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: 83629
- Airframe hours: 7010
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandelle Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1995, 43 hours before
- Airport: PBI, Palm Beach Intl., runway 9, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19950414034419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950414034419A), Apr 14, 1995: Cessna 152, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Veered on landing. Began go around drifted. Aborted. Struck sign landing off 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.

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