Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC98LA003

WEST CHESTER, PA, USA

Aircraft #1

N94999

Cessna 152

Analysis

The student pilot flew an approach to runway 27. The airplane landed left main gear first, then a gust of wind raised the right wing, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and nosed over. Winds at the time of the accident were reported from 220 degrees at 11 knots.

Factual Information

On October 3, 1997, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N94999, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway during landing at the Brandywine Airport, West Chester, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for solo instructional flight that originated at Brandywine Airport. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the student pilot stated that the airplane touched down left main gear first, and a gust of wind raised the right wing. He also stated, "...I tried to let the plane settle on its own but lost control as the plane veered off to the right..." Upon exiting the runway, the airplane's nose gear and propeller assembly contacted grass boarding runway 27, and the airplane nosed over. The Philadelphia International Airport reported the winds, at 1251, to be from 220 degrees at 11 knots. The Willow Grove Naval Air Station reported the winds, at 1255, to be from 220 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 14 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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