2002-03-28: Cessna 152 — Phoenix East Aviation — Melbourne, FL

Casualties unknown • Melbourne, FL, US

Probable cause

The students pilot's failure to perform a go-around after a bounced landing condition that resulted in the on-ground collision with a ditch.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the student pilot, he was on a cross country flight from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Vero Beach, Florida, to Melbourne, Florida, and back to Daytona Beach. Upon approaching Melbourne, Florida, the student pilot was cleared by the Air Traffic Control Tower to land on runway 4. During landing the airplane bounced several times, ran off the end of the 3000 foot runway and collided with a ditch coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that executing a go-around would have prevented this accident.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-03-28 Cessna 152 accident near Melbourne, FL?

According to the student pilot, he was on a cross country flight from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Vero Beach, Florida, to Melbourne, Florida, and back to Daytona Beach. Upon approaching Melbourne, Florida, the student pilot was cleared by the Air Traffic Control Tower to land on runway 4. During landing the airplane…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-03-28 involved a Cessna 152, registration N5530Q, operated by Phoenix East Aviation, at Melbourne, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The students pilot's failure to perform a go-around after a bounced landing condition that resulted in the on-ground collision with a ditch.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020402X00440. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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