Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Ormond Beach, FL — 2012-08-24

Final reportERA12LA525
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Date
2012-08-24
Location
Ormond Beach, FL, USA
Airport
OMN
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N24264
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to take off again after a successful abort due to diminished airplane climb performance. Contributing to the accident was carburetor icing during the taxi, which resulted in the loss of engine performance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot took off in calm wind conditions, and, although he reported that pretakeoff checks were normal, he did not believe that the airplane was climbing properly after liftoff. Air traffic control tower personnel observed the airplane lift off and touch down twice before running off the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest about 625 feet beyond the end of the runway. The pilot recognized a loss of airplane performance during the initial takeoff and successfully landed the airplane back on the runway. However, instead of stopping the airplane, the pilot took off again, which then put the airplane in a position where a second aborted takeoff could only result in a runway overrun. Postaccident examination revealed no preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations, and flight instructors who flew the airplane during its two previous flights noted no discrepancies during those flights. The ambient temperature and dew point about the time of the accident indicated a probability of carburetor ice accumulation during taxi, and the carburetor heat was found in the off position.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier when initial climb was not achieved.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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