On May 30, 1997, a Cessna 152 (registration N66980) was involved in an aviation accident near Chesterfield, MO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane by overcompensating with the rudder. Factors associated with the accident were the excessive airspeed and the soft 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.
During a student pilot's first solo flight, the aircraft veered left after touchdown. The pilot corrected, retracted flaps, then applied full throttle and overcorrected with rudder inputs, causing the airplane to depart the runway and flip onto its back in soft, waterlogged terrain.
Accident Details
A student pilot flying their first solo flight completed a landing at 55 knots with full flaps deployed. The flaps-down stall speed for this airplane model is 43 knots. After touchdown, the aircraft was positioned left of the runway centerline. The pilot corrected the alignment and retracted the wing flaps. As the airplane returned close to the centerline, the pilot turned the carburetor heat selector to the off position and applied full throttle. The pilot then overcompensated with right rudder input, followed by an overcompensation with left rudder. The airplane subsequently exited the left side of the runway, entering soft terrain with standing water. The aircraft then flipped over onto its back.
No further details about injuries or damage were provided in the source.
What happened in the 30 May 1997 Cessna 152 accident near Chesterfield, MO?
During a student pilot's first solo flight, the aircraft veered left after touchdown. The pilot corrected, retracted flaps, then applied full throttle and overcorrected with rudder inputs, causing the airplane to depart the runway and flip onto its back in soft, waterlogged terrain.
Were there any fatalities in the 30 May 1997 Cessna 152 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 May 1997 involved a Cessna 152, registration N66980, at Chesterfield, MO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane by overcompensating with the rudder. Factors associated with the accident were the excessive airspeed and the soft terrain.
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