Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Indian Head, MD — 2010-07-20

Final reportERA10CA369
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Date
2010-07-20
Location
Indian Head, MD, USA
Airport
2W5
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N4823B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he received a weather briefing that stated there was a convective SIGMET (significant meteorological information) over the airport and the storm would be arriving in about one hour. After receiving the briefing, the pilot performed a preflight check on the airplane, and proceeded to take off on a local solo flight. The pilot stated that during different phases of each traffic pattern, he had difficulty due to the gusty wind conditions. After initiating a go-around on the original departure runway, the pilot elected to set up for a long approach to a different runway. While on final approach, the airplane encountered gusty conditions and the pilot attempted to compensate for a crosswind. During touchdown, the airplane bounced several times, overran the end of the runway, and collided with a small ditch resulting in damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The recorded wind conditions about the time of the accident at an airport 8 miles away indicated a velocity of 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after receiving the weather briefing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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