N68304

On January 9, 1997, at 1004 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N68304, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during initial climb at Wings Field Airport, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the certified flight instructor, he demonstrated a soft field takeoff on runway 6 and attempted to demonstrate an early rotation with a pitch attitude of 15-17 degrees above the horizon, at an indicated airspeed (IAS) of about 45-50 knots.

The pilot further stated:

"...I raised the nose higher than a normal pitch attitude for takeoff, with the stall horn beginning to sound (7-10 kts before a stall P.O.H.) at 45 IAS, I began to lower the pitch attitude noticing airspeed was 45 IAS...At this time, the aircraft began a violent roll to the left...I initiated a spin recovery of: 1) power idle, 2) ailerons neutral, 3) application of rudder opposite to the rotation, 4) lower the nose.

The aircraft recovered...heading towards trees, with ample distance to climb, I reapplied power to full...the aircraft seemed as if was hovering in place, but slowly accelerating. At that time, the aircraft unexpectedly began another violent roll to the left. I initiated the same four steps mentioned above, but only lowered the nose slightly (1-2 degrees) knowing the close proximity of the ground... ."

The airplane struck the marshy ground and nosed over.

Several witnesses observed the airplane as it was taking off. They reported that the airplane was climbing in a steeper than normal angle. One witness said the airplane continued its climb in the same position until it almost stopped in mid-flight, the left wing dipped, and the airplane started to dive into the ground. The witness said just before the nose hit the ground, the wings were level.

A flight instructor who had flown N68304 with a student, said that during a power on/off stalls demonstration flight, the airplane "snapped to the left real sharp." He said that when he initiated the maneuver at an altitude of 3,200 feet MSL, completed the recovery at 1,000 feet MSL.

According to the Whitpain Township Police Department, the pilot had just taken off in a northeasterly direction, and the airplane was approximately 20 feet above the runway. The airplane was in the process of accelerating, and the pilot had initiated a climb at an angle of about 15-17 degrees.

An examination of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that on May 20, 1996, an entry for a right rolling tendency was recorded and signed off by a mechanic as, "checked aileron rigging within limits." There was no record of the airplane being test flown after the write up. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed control continuity to all flight controls.