- Date
- December 15, 1996, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place
- Baltimore, MD
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N714YWCessna 152
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 31, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19961215039469A
- Case key
- 39310
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the student pilot's premature rotation and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), which resulted in failure of the flight crew to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff for a proper rate of climb. Trees at the departure end of the runway were a related factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The student pilot initiated a short field takeoff from a 2,200 foot runway, after obtaining full power and then releasing the brakes. The flight instructor stated that he checked the engine RPM before the brakes were released. During the takeoff roll, the airplane rotated beyond the midfield position. The instructor stated that the airplane was not climbing so more elevator back pressure was applied, during which the stall warning horn sounded. As the airplane climbed out of ground effect, the stall warning horn sounded again. The airplane then impacted trees at the departure end of the runway, but continued flying. The flight continued to a nearby airport, where a low approach was made (for ground personnel to check for landing gear damage), followed by a full stop landing.
Factual narrative
On December 15, 1996, about 1030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N714YW, operated by Free Flight Aviation Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during the initial takeoff climb from the Baltimore Airpark (1W2), Baltimore, Maryland. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight destined for Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a statement submitted by the flight instructor, he stated that the flight originated earlier that morning at the Martin State Airport (MTN), Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to landing at 1W2, the flight involved a series of maneuvers during which no problems were encountered. He then intended to depart runway 27, a 2,200 foot long, 49 foot wide, runway from 1W2. A short field takeoff was performed with the use of 10 degrees of flaps and brake application while applying full power. The instructor stated, "We did pre-takeoff check, set 10 degrees flap, taxied out to position [and] held the brakes. Applied full power, checked for RPM and released brakes. . . .We lifted out past midfield down runway, the plane did not want to climb out and more back pressure caused a stall chirp. When we got out of ground effect, we got another stall chirp. . . ." The airplane impacted trees at the departure end of the runway.
The pilot stated that he then elected to continue to MTN, located about 5 miles south. When the flight arrived at MTN, a low approach was performed for ground personnel to check for landing gear damage, followed by a full stop landing.
The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector conducted an engine test run. During the engine run, a static run-up was performed satisfactorily.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N714YW
- Reported as
- Cessna 152
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15279547
- Airframe hours
- 7,966
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-N2C, 108 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Brett Aviation
- Registered owner
- Free Flight Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · November 7, 1996 · 68 hours before
- Departed
- 1W2
- Destination
- MTN · MD
- Airport
- 1W2 · Baltimore Airpark, runway 27, 2,200 × 49 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 360 total · 250 in this make and model · 345 as pilot in command · 17 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MTN, 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.