Cessna 152 N49785 accident near Bridgeport, Texas

Probable cause

The student pilot’s delayed go-around from an unstabilized approach and failure to attain/maintain control during the go-around that resulted in an impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot flew a cross-country flight to an airport where he performed six landings. He then flew to another airport and completed two touch and go landings before attempting a third. During approach for the third touch and go landing, the student pilot noticed the airplane was too high on the downwind to base and base to final leg turns. To reduce altitude, he increased the airplane’s descent rate to 900-1,000 ft per minute with wing flaps at 30o. He planned on reestablishing the airplane on the final approach glide path but was too late doing so. He reduced the airplane’s decent rate to 600-700 ft per minute and continued the approach. He said the airplane had a high descent rate, which he felt could result in a very firm landing. He pitched the airplane up a little too much during the landing flare, and the stall warning sounded. He then initiated a go-around out of concern that the landing would result in an unsafe and hard landing. During the go-around, the stall warning sounded again and there was a lot of drag from the wing flaps. The airplane drifted away from the runway surface due to left turning tendences and impacted the terrain. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces to the wings and fuselage. The student pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA036 for the full record.