Introduction
On July 7, 2016, at approximately 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, registration N5331B, sustained substantial damage during a landing at Bridgeport Municipal Airport (KXBP) in Bridgeport, Texas. The private pilot and a pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO) in Denton, Texas, at about 1945.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, during the third touch-and-go landing on runway 18 at KXBP, the ground roll was longer than usual, and the airplane had difficulty climbing away from the runway. The pilot observed that the flaps were still extended to 30°, despite the flap handle being in the up position. Subsequently, the pilot maneuvered to land on runway 36 at KXBP, but approached the runway at a higher-than-normal altitude. The pilot executed a slip to descend, and the airplane floated down the runway. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway, and when the pilot applied the brakes, control was lost. The airplane swerved left and right before exiting the side of the runway. The nose wheel became stuck in the soil, causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted.
Examination
After the accident, the flap actuator motor, jackscrew, and flap tube assembly were sent to Textron Aviation for examination. Under the supervision of Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, the jackscrew was unboxed and inspected. The flap tube assembly was found fully extended and bound. The tube assembly was freed mechanically, after which the flap actuator motor could move the tube assembly normally. Further examination did not identify a reason for the binding. No anomalies were detected with the jackscrew or the flap actuator.