Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Long Beach, CA — 2009-01-05

Final reportWPR09CA073
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Date
2009-01-05
Location
Long Beach, CA, USA
Airport
LGB
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N45969
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failuire to maintain directional control during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

At rotation during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the runway, crossed a taxiway, struck a parked helicopter, and impacted cement pilings before erupting in flames. The student pilot reported that he attempted to correct back to the runway with right aileron and rudder, and when the airplane continued off the runway, he tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane. A ground witness reported that the engine noise increased as the airplane came toward the helicopter as if the pilot were attempting to take off. The airplane was destroyed by the ground fire and no meaningful examinations could be made of the control system or the brakes.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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