# NTSB SEA97LA103: Cessna 152, N714VL, Deer Lodge, MT, May 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1997, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Deer Lodge, MT - Coordinates: 46.370334, -112.720664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3703&lon=-112.7207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA103 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to abort the takeoff, and his improper use of brakes during the abort. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he encountered a crosswind as the airplane's tail had just lifted from the runway during the takeoff roll. He stated that the airplane '...veered hard to the right of center' and he could not maintain directional control. He then attempted to stop the airplane by lowering the tail back onto the ground, decreasing engine power, and applying the brakes. The airplane departed off the side of the runway and into loose gravel. The pilot stated that he '... got on the brakes too hard and the aircraft nosed over.' The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions, and he stated that he could have prevented the accident by '...not aborting the takeoff and flying the aircraft off the runway.' ## Factual narrative On May 9, 1997, about 1400 mountain daylight time, N714VL, a Cessna 152 with a tail-wheel conversion, operated by the owner/pilot, nosed over and was substantially damaged while taking off from Deer Lodge, Montana. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported that he encountered a crosswind as the airplane's tail had just lifted from the runway during the takeoff roll. He stated that the airplane "...veered hard to the right of center" and he could not maintain directional control. He then attempted to stop the airplane by lowering the tail back onto the ground, decreasing engine power, and applying the brakes. The airplane departed off the side of the runway and into loose gravel. The pilot stated that he "... got on the brakes too hard and the aircraft nosed over." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions, and he stated that he could have prevented the accident by "...not aborting the takeoff and flying the aircraft off the runway." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector from Helena, Montana, the airplane was substantially damaged in the accident. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found. The pilot had just purchased the airplane and was flying it back to his home in Minnesota at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had about 15 hours of total flight time in type. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714VL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714VL), registered now, S/N 15279466, built 1977 (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: 15279466 - Airframe hours: 1314 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flanagan, Vernon F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1996, 18 hours before - Departed: 38S - Destination: ROSEMOUNT, MN - Airport: 38S, Deer Lodge City-County, runway 12, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 496 total, 15 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BTM, 28 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 19970509009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970509009849A), May 9, 1997: Cessna 152, Deer Lodge, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft on takeoff and applied brakes, nosed ovber and came to rest inverted. (.4)the pilot reported that he encountered a crosswind as… 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.