# NTSB NYC96LA142: Cessna 152, N6137H, Greenwood Lake, NJ, July 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1996, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Greenwood Lake, NJ - Location: 41.1284° N, 74.3465° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREENWOOD LAKE (4N1), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1284&lon=-74.3465&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39210 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39210/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA142 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, during the approach/go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The student pilot flew to Greenwood Lake Airport for the purpose of practicing landings. According to the student, 'I overflew (the airport) at 2500 feet to study the windsock. The wind appeared to be coming from the west, this favored runway 24. I turned around, descended to 1800 feet, and entered a left downwind pattern for (the runway). On the final approach ... everything appeared normal. There was a slight wind from the 2:00 position, which I corrected using a little right aileron, and left rudder. I was using full flaps (30 degrees), and the power was at idle. I started my flare about 1\3 of the way down the runway, my speed was about 60 knots. When I was about halfway through the flare (about 5 to 10 ft. above the runway), the right wing suddenly dropped. I think the right wing tip may have struck the ground. I added full throttle and left aileron. The plane continued to bank to the right, and climbed a few feet. The plane turned for approximately 180 degrees. I was able to level the wings at this point, but then the nose of the plane dropped, and struck the ground at about a 45 degree angle and slightly banked to the left.' The airplane came to rest about 50 feet from the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1996, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6137H, a training flight, was substantially damaged at Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The departure point was Lincoln Park, New Jersey. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot flew to Greenwood Lake Airport for the purpose of practicing landings. According to the pilot, "I overflew (the airport) at 2500 feet to study the windsock. The wind appeared to be coming from the west, this favored runway 24. I turned around, descended to 1800 feet, and entered a left downwind pattern for (the runway). On the final approach ... everything appeared normal. There was a slight wind from the 2:00 position, which I corrected using a little right aileron, and left rudder. I was using full flaps (30 degrees), and the power was at idle." "I started my flare about 1\3 of the way down the runway, my speed was about 60 knots. When I was about halfway through the flare (about 5 to 10 ft. above the runway), the right wing suddenly dropped. I think the right wing tip may have struck the ground. I added full throttle and left aileron. The plane continued to bank to the right, and climbed a few feet. The plane turned for approximately 180 degrees. I was able to level the wings at this point, but then the nose of the plane dropped, and struck the ground at about a 45 degree angle and slightly banked to the left. " The airplane came to rest about 50 feet from the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6137H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6137H-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 15284135, 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: 15284135 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank R. Galella - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: N07, LINCOLN PARK, NJ - Destination: 4N1 - Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake, runway 24, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 32 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19960705016439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960705016439A), Jul 5, 1996: Cessna 152, West Milford, NJ, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control of aircraft on landing, cartwheeled on 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.