# NTSB NYC96LA177: Cessna 152, N45949, Rome, NY, August 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1996, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Rome, NY - Coordinates: 43.210311, -75.469375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2103&lon=-75.4694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39236/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off on a runway of insufficient length, and his failure to obtain adequate airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis As the airplane was rotated for takeoff, the pilot heard the stall warning horn sound. He then observing trees at the departure end of the runway. The pilot attempted to raise the nose to climb over the trees; however, the airplane stalled, and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot did not report any malfunctions with the airplane; he stated that he should have used a longer runway. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1996, about 1940 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N45949, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during the initial takeoff climb. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he reported the following: He departed the Kamp Airport, Durhamville, New York destined for a private turf runway in Rome, New York. This was his first time operating at Rome. The pilot landed in Rome, and he planned to return to Durhamville. He performed a short field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps, and applied brakes while he added full power. As the airplane became airborne, he heard the stall warning horn and observed small trees at the departure end of the runway. He attempted to pull back on the yoke to climb over the trees; however, the airplane stalled and the left wing contacted the ground. It was reported to the pilot that the length of the runway was approximately 1,400 feet; However, the pilot estimated the length was shorter and stated that he should have used a longer runway. The pilot had a total flight time of approximately 112 hours, and he received his private pilot certificate in March, 1996. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45949](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45949-1997-03-10), registration cancelled 1997-03-10, S/N 15282956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 5220 - Engines: Lycoming O-255-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John F. Palmer - Registered owner: Bernie Kamp, Kamp Airport - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1996 - Departed: NONE - Destination: K03, DURHAMVILLE, NY - Airport: runway 27, 1,400 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 90 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: UCA, 5 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 19960825047109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825047109A), Aug 25, 1996: Cessna 152, Rome, NY, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot rotated aircraft prematurely. Aircraft flew approximately 300 feet with stall warning. As the ground sloped down, aircraft stalled, striking ground… 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.