N5530Q

On March 28, 2002, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N5530Q, registered to Alpha Leasing LLC, and operated by Phoenix East Aviation, ran off the runway during landing at Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the solo cross country flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Daytona Beach, Florida, at 1000.

According to the student pilot, he was on a cross country flight from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Vero Beach, Florida, to Melbourne, Florida, and back to Daytona Beach. Upon approaching Melbourne, Florida, the student pilot was cleared by the Air Traffic Control Tower to land on runway 4. During landing the airplane bounced several times, ran off the end of the 3000 foot runway and collided with a ditch coming to rest inverted. As the airplane bounced down the runway the pilot thought about executing a go-around but believed there was enough runway available for a landing.

Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the vertical stabilizer, and nose gear. The student pilot reported no mechanical problems prior to landing. The student pilot reported that executing a go-around would have prevented this accident.