# NTSB MIA99LA014: Cessna 152, N5139B, Olive Branch, MS, October 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 1998, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.950855, -89.819953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9509&lon=-89.8200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45137/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA014 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on takeoff, resulting in the airplane's excursion off the runway and collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline and the application of right rudder would not correct the drift. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, and collided with trees and a ditch. Postcrash examination of the airplane revealed no discrepancies in the flight control, steering, or braking systems. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 1998, about 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5139B, registered to Douglas Aviation Inc, and operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on takeoff from runway 18 at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he applied full power to start his takeoff roll and as he approached 40 to 45 knots, indicated airspeed, the airplane started to buffet, would not respond to right rudder, and veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot stated he applied brakes and pulled the throttle back, but braking was not effective in the grass, and the airplane started to become airborne. The left drift continued until collision with adjacent trees and a ditch. At some point during the runway excursion, the throttle was "bumped" forward, and had to be pulled off when the airplane came to rest. The pilot stated he did have enough directional control to steer the airplane between trees to avoid a head-on collision. He stated that this was his third solo flight, and noted no aircraft discrepancies during his preflight inspection, taxi, or pretakeoff checks. The pilot reported the surface winds at the time of his takeoff were calm. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft and runway. They stated the distance from brake release to the runway excursion was about 800 feet. The distance from runway departure to the tree impact point was about 600 feet. Examination of the airplane revealed no malfunctions of the flight controls, the throttle control, the nosewheel steering or the braking systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5139B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5139B-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 15283771, 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: 15283771 - Airframe hours: 2784 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 1998, 21 hours before - Departed: OLV, MS - Airport: OLV, Olive Branch, runway 18, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 12 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 19981025034079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981025034079A), Oct 25, 1998: Cessna 152, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered left on take off roll (runway 018, olv) right rudder had no effect, aircraft traveled approx 600' then impacted trees. No injuries. Substantial… ## Other investigations on N5139B (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW79DPD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPD44), Aug 23, 1979: Cessna 152 (N5139B), Fort Worth, TX, minor damage 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.