Casualties unknown

1996-11-20: Cessna 152 (N4713Q) — Westflight Aviation — Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, UT, US

On November 20, 1996, a Cessna 152 (registration N4713Q) operated by Westflight Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Salt Lake City, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which allowed his aircraft to encounter wake turbulence from a Lear Jet, and/or the student allowed the aircraft to stall. The crosswind component from the quartering headwind was a possible factor. 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 landing on runway 32 experienced a hard bounce, subsequent roll, and nose-over after a wake turbulence encounter from a preceding Learjet.

Incident Overview

A witness observed the airplane moments before touchdown on runway 32. According to the witness, the airplane appeared to be in a steep descent and impacted the runway hard. It bounced approximately 10 to 15 feet into the air, then returned to the ground and continued rolling forward. The witness noted the airplane seemed slightly nose-down and rolled some distance before nosing over.

Pilot Report

The student pilot, flying solo, stated that he received a caution about wake turbulence when cleared to land. He reported that before landing, the airplane ballooned very slightly and he re-flared. He then described being "suddenly and very violently blown almost directly sideways." The student had a total flight time of 52.9 hours, including 13.1 hours solo.

Environmental and Traffic Conditions

Radar data revealed that a Learjet had landed on runway 35, which has a crossing approach path, approximately 1 minute and 14 seconds before the accident aircraft. Runways 32 and 35 intersect at their approach ends. Winds were reported from 360 degrees at 10 knots prior to the student's landing clearance.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07120. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.