On October 24, 1989, a Cessna 152 (registration N4973B) operated by Gulf Air Enterprises, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Thibodaux, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN ABORTED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND THE DITCH WERE RELATED FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a normal landing flare, the airplane drifted left of the centerline, with the right wheel on the runway and the left wheel in the grass. The pilot applied full power for a go-around, but the airplane yawed left, the left wing touched down, and it went through a ditch.
Incident Description
A student pilot was conducting a normal landing approach. During the flare, the airplane deviated to the left of the runway centerline. The right main wheel made contact with the paved runway surface, while the left main wheel contacted the adjacent grass area.
Sequence of Events
In response to the drift, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying full engine power. With the nose in a high pitch attitude, the airplane flew approximately 40 to 50 yards at an altitude of about 6 feet above ground level. Subsequently, the airplane yawed to the left. The left wing then made contact with the ground, and the airplane rotated leftward before traversing through a ditch.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 24 Oct 1989 Cessna 152 accident near Thibodaux, LA?
During a normal landing flare, the airplane drifted left of the centerline, with the right wheel on the runway and the left wheel in the grass. The pilot applied full power for a go-around, but the airplane yawed left, the left wing touched down, and it went through a ditch.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Oct 1989 involved a Cessna 152, registration N4973B, operated by Gulf Air Enterprises, Inc., at Thibodaux, LA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING AN ABORTED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND THE DITCH WERE RELATED FACTORS.