No fatalities

Pilot Reports Nose-Over After Hitting Soft Spot on Turf Runway

Columbia Station, OH, United States

On December 7, 2013, a CESSNA 152 operated by Vern Wyman was involved in an aviation accident near Columbia Station, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate flight planning and decision to land on the soft grass/turf runway which resulted in a nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot practicing takeoffs and landings nosed over after encountering a soft spot on a turf runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to wings and tail. No mechanical malfunction was reported.

Accident Overview

The pilot reported that he intended to practice takeoffs and landings while remaining in the traffic pattern. Before departure, he checked Runway 36R, a grass/turf runway, to determine if it was hard enough for landing. The adjacent paved runway, Runway 36L, was covered with ice. The pilot decided to take off from Runway 36L and land on Runway 36R. He departed and flew a left-hand traffic pattern.

Landing and Rollout

The pilot reported that the landing and rollout proceeded normally until the airplane encountered a soft spot in the turf. This caused the airplane to nose over. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wings and tail of the aircraft.

Mechanical Status

According to the pilot, there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Dec 2013 CESSNA 152 accident near Columbia Station, OH?

A pilot practicing takeoffs and landings nosed over after encountering a soft spot on a turf runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to wings and tail. No mechanical malfunction was reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 7 Dec 2013 CESSNA 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Dec 2013 involved a CESSNA 152, operated by Vern Wyman, at Columbia Station, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate flight planning and decision to land on the soft grass/turf runway which resulted in a nose over.