Casualties unknown

1996-07-10: Cessna 152 (N4897P) — Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, UT, US

On July 10, 1996, a Cessna 152 (registration N4897P) was involved in an aviation accident near Salt Lake City, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper execution of a go-around with insufficient airspeed and inappropriate response to the stall warning, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot lost control during a go-around maneuver after a bounced landing, resulting in a stall and impact with terrain.

What happened

The accident sequence began following the initial touchdown of the aircraft. Upon contact with the runway surface, the airplane ballooned upward before descending to touch down once more. This second bounce was followed by another ascent, indicating a loss of controlled flight path during the landing phase.

In response to the unstable approach, the student pilot initiated a go-around maneuver. However, this action was executed with insufficient airspeed. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's stall warning system activated. Reacting to the audible alert, the pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft. This control input, combined with the low energy state, led to a loss of lift.

The aircraft drifted laterally to the left side of the runway centerline. It subsequently impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The force of the impact caused the airplane to nosed over, coming to rest off the paved surface.

The investigation

Examination of the flight dynamics revealed that the pilot's reaction to the stall warning was counterproductive given the airspeed conditions at the time. The decision to lower the nose while already below critical airspeed contributed directly to the loss of control.

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper execution of a go-around with insufficient airspeed and inappropriate response to the stall warning, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06366. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.