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Nose Landing Gear Collapses During Touch-and-Go Takeoff (N856ER)

Mesa, AZ, US

On October 23, 2004, a Cessna 152 (registration N856ER) was involved in an aviation accident near Mesa, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go takeoff. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N856ER
Aircraft registered N856ER. Photo: ZLEA / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An airplane veered off the runway and collapsed its nose landing gear during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go landing. The pilot reported the aircraft drifted left despite rudder and brake application.

Accident Narrative

The airplane was conducting a touch-and-go landing when, during the takeoff portion, it veered off the runway and collapsed the nose landing gear. According to the pilot, after applying power, the airplane began to drift to the left side of the runway. The pilot added right rudder in an attempt to correct the drift, but the airplane continued moving left. As the airplane left the paved surface, the pilot applied brake pressure. Subsequently, the nose landing gear collapsed.

Pilot Comments

The pilot stated that he should apply right rudder in preparation for full-throttle application to maintain directional control of the airplane and prevent a similar event in the future.

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Oct 2004 Cessna 152 accident near Mesa, AZ?

An airplane veered off the runway and collapsed its nose landing gear during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go landing. The pilot reported the aircraft drifted left despite rudder and brake application.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Oct 2004 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Oct 2004 involved a Cessna 152, registration N856ER, at Mesa, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go takeoff.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20041103X01751. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.