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NTSB Identification: MIA00LA238. The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System. |
Accident occurred Tuesday, August 15, 2000 at GAINESVILLE, FL |
Aircraft: Cessna 152, registration: N93589 |
Injuries: 2 Minor |
Event: 20001212X21799 Status: Final Report Approved On Thursday, May 17, 2001 |
NTSB Preliminary Narrative (6120.19A) |
On August 15, 2000, about 1055 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N93589, registered to Air Lease, Inc., crashed into trees shortly after |
takeoff from Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions |
prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated flight |
instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. |
The instructor stated that during climb, shortly after takeoff, the engine rpm fluctuated between 2,300 and 2,400. He then saw rpm had |
dropped to 2,100. He took the controls from the student and initiated a left turn back towards the airport. He saw that he could not make the |
airport and selected a wooded area south of the airport for a landing. The aircraft crashed through the trees and came to rest on the ground. A |
postcrash fire erupted in the engine area. |
A witness who was located at the approach end of runway 24 under a sunshade stated he observed N93589 taxi to the end of runway 24. |
He did not pay much attention to the airplane at this time and does not know if the pilots performed an engine runup. When he heard the airplane |
start the takeoff roll, he stepped out from under the sunshade to watch. The engine did not sound like it was producing full power as the takeoff |
roll started. The airplane made a long takeoff roll and lifted off about two thirds of the way down the runway. The airplane climbed slow after |
liftoff and started a left turn, with a nose-high attitude. The airplane then stalled and the left wing dropped. The airplane descended into the trees. |
The engine continued to run until the airplane impacted the trees. |
Postcrash examination of the engine was performed by an FAA inspector and a representative from Lycoming Engines. The aircraft and |
engine fuel lines were found unobstructed. The propeller blades were bent forward, consistent with the engine running at the time of ground |
impact. A small fire had occurred in the area of the airbox and carburetor. The engine was supported and a fuel source supplied. The engine |
was then started and allowed to warm for about 2 minutes. When the throttle was advanced to the full power position, the engine obtained |
1,700 rpm and ran roughly. The engine was shut down and the spark plugs were removed. The spark plugs had a high buildup of carbon and |
lead deposits on the electrodes. Magneto timing was found at 22 degrees before top center for the left and 21 degrees before top center on the |
right. The Lycoming specifications call for 20 degrees before top center. Each cylinder had compression within normal limits. The spark plugs |
were cleaned and the bent propeller was replaced with a undamaged propeller. The engine was started and operated to full static power of |
2,200 rpm with no evidence of failure or malfunction. (See Lycoming Report) |
NTSB Final Narrative (6120.4) |
The flight instructor stated that during climb after takeoff, the engine lost power and the rpm dropped to about 2,100. He took the controls from |
the student and initiated a left turn back toward the airport. When he realized he could not make the airport, he landed in trees. A witness stated |
the engine did not sound like it was producing full power from the beginning of takeoff roll and the airplane made a long takeoff roll using about |
two thirds of the 4,158 foot runway. After liftoff, the airplane climbed slow and the pilot's initiated a turn to the left with a nose high attitude. The |
airplane stalled and the left wing dropped. The airplane descended and crashed into the trees. He heard the engine continue to run until the |
airplane crashed. Postcrash examination of the engine showed the spark plugs were fouled with carbon and lead deposits and the propeller |
blades were bent forward. The engine was started and operated roughly to 1,700 rpm. After cleaning the plugs and changing the bent propeller, |
the engine was started and operated to 2,200 rpm, full static rpm. |
NTSB Probable Cause Narrative |
The flight instructor's failure to identify a partial loss of engine power during takeoff roll, and his failure to maintain airspeed while attempting to |
return to the airport after takeoff resulting in the airplane stalling and descending uncontrolled until impact with trees and the ground. |
Occurrences and Sequence of Events |
Occurrence: 1, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER |
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - ROLL/RUN |
Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 1 |
1 (Finding) IGNITION SYSTEM, SPARK PLUG / FOULED / (0) |
2 ( Cause ) MISCELLANEOUS / NOT IDENTIFIED / PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI) |
Occurrence: 2, LOSS OF CONTROL - IN FLIGHT |
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - INITIAL CLIMB |
Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 2 |
3 ( Cause ) AIRSPEED (VS) / NOT MAINTAINED / PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI) |
4 (Finding) STALL / INADVERTENT / PILOT IN COMMAND (CFI) |
Occurrence: 3, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH OBJECT |
Phase of Operation: DESCENT - UNCONTROLLED |
Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 3 |
5 (Finding) OBJECT / TREE(S) / (0) |
Occurrence: 4, IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN/WATER |
Phase of Operation: DESCENT - UNCONTROLLED |
Sequence of Events for Occurrence Number: 4 |
6 (Finding) TERRAIN CONDITIONS / GROUND / (0) |
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