No fatalities

15 Sep 2009: CESSNA 152 — Orlando Flight Training — Merritt Island, FL

Merritt Island, FL, United States

On 15 Sep 2009, a CESSNA 152 operated by Orlando Flight Training was involved in an aviation accident near Merritt Island, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilots failure to maintain directional control after landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a solo flight, a student pilot applied brakes after landing, causing the airplane to veer left off the runway, resulting in substantial wing damage. The pilot reported brake malfunction, but post-accident examination found the brake system fully functional.

Accident Details

A student pilot was conducting his second solo flight, performing full stop landings and taxiing back. After his third landing, the pilot applied both brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.

Pilot Report

The student pilot later stated that the brakes did not work properly. This statement suggested a potential brake system issue as the cause of the runway excursion.

Investigation Findings

Postaccident examination of the brake system was conducted by an airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic with oversight from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The examination found the brake system to be fully functional. All components of the brake system were within operational limits, and there was no evidence of any malfunction or failure prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

Student pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained