1991-08-24: Cessna 152 — Montague Aviation — Montague, CA

Casualties unknown • Montague, CA, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER GO-AROUND PROCEDURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT AFTER BEING ENDORSED FOR SOLO OPERATIONS. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE TOO HIGH OVER THE RUNWAY AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SETTLE TOWARDS THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT THEN SELECTED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AND REDUCED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND, LOWERING THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE TO GAIN AIRSPEED. THE NOSE AND PROPELLER THEN CONTACTED THE RUNWAY.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-08-24 Cessna 152 accident near Montague, CA?

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT AFTER BEING ENDORSED FOR SOLO OPERATIONS. THE PILOT LEVELED THE AIRPLANE TOO HIGH OVER THE RUNWAY AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SETTLE TOWARDS THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT THEN SELECTED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-08-24 involved a Cessna 152, registration N757ZJ, operated by Montague Aviation, at Montague, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER GO-AROUND PROCEDURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17914. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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