N49054

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 152S/N: 15281125

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
NTSB Number
ERA12CA521
Location
Deland, FL
Event ID
20120822X84516
Coordinates
29.069723, -81.280555
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control on final approach in gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate in an environment of thunderstorms and rapidly deteriorating weather.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N49054
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15281125
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1977
Model / ICAO
152C152
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ALBER DAVID LEE JR
Address
3156 TUNISIA DR
Status
Deregistered
City
DELTONA
State / Zip Code
FL 32738-9418
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated she checked weather before departing on a maintenance flight in the airport traffic pattern. Some weather was located to the northwest. She departed and climbed to 1,000 feet above ground level, set the engine at cruise power, and completed the first traffic pattern. She started the second pattern and noticed the weather was moving towards the airport. As the airplane turned on to final approach, the winds increased, the airplane encountered strong turbulence, and her approach became unstable. She initiated a go-around; however, the airplane impacted the runway and came to rest inverted off the left side. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the airframe. Review of weather data revealed a wind shift occurred immediately prior to the accident, which was associated with nearby thunderstorms. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA521