# NTSB SEA03LA031: Cessna 152, N48769, Ellensburg, WA, January 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 28, 2003, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Ellensburg, WA - Coordinates: 47.016666, -120.51667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0167&lon=-120.5167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56420/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56420 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA031 ## Probable cause Aircraft control was not maintained during the landing roll. A tailwind and a snow bank were factors. ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the approach to runway 29, he was lined up with the runway centerline, 60 knots airspeed and he had red-over-white on the VASI. Touch down was made just after the numbers. After touchdown, the airplane started to veer to the right. The student pilot applied left rudder input, however, the airplane continued to veer/turn to the right. The right main landing gear lifted off the ground and the airplane traveled off the runway and collided with a snow bank. The aircraft subsequently nosed over. The winds at the time were reported from 090 degrees at five knots. ## Factual narrative On January 28, 2003, approximately 1415 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N48769, registered to and operated by Midstate Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, nosed over off the side of the runway at Bowers Field, Ellensburg, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local student solo flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight departed about 55 minutes prior to the accident. The operator reported that this was the students second solo flight. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that he was returning from the practice area to practice landings. The student pilot stated that the approach to runway 29 was lined up with the runway centerline, 60 knots airspeed and he had red-over-white on the VASI. Touch down was made just after the numbers. After touchdown, the airplane started to veer to the right. The student pilot stated that he applied left rudder input, however, the airplane continued to veer/turn to the right. The right main landing gear lifted off the ground and the airplane traveled off the runway and collided with a snow bank. The aircraft subsequently nosed over damaging the vertical stabilizer and both wings. At 1353, the winds at the airport were reported from 90 degrees at five knots. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48769](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48769-2012-12-31), registration cancelled 2012-12-31, S/N 15283372, 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: 15283372 - Airframe hours: 10836 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Midstate Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, November 24, 2002, 46 hours before - Departed: ELN, Ellensburg, WA - Airport: ELN, Bowers Field, runway 29, 4,300 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: ELN ## 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 20030128000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030128000789A), Jan 28, 2003: Cessna 152, Ellensburg, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot lost control of aircraft after landing. Aircraft departed right side of runway, encountered a snowbank, and subsequently nosed over.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56420. 427 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 427 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.