CHI01LA062

Factual narrative

On January 10, 2001, at 1045 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N5394Q, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go on runway 24 (5,799 feet by 100 feet) at the Coles County Memorial Airport, Mattoon, Illinois. The student pilot was attempting to takeoff when the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and the nose gear collapsed as the aircraft traveled through the snow adjacent to the runway. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at about 1015. In a written statement the student pilot said that he had been practicing maneuvers and returned to the airport to land. The pilot said that the first landing after returning, was, "...somewhat rough...." The pilot said, "After landing I felt that conditions were too windy for flying without an instructor, however the hobbs time indicated that I still had time for a few more touch-n-go's so I went ahead and flew 2 more." The pilot said that after the third landing, the aircraft was slightly off centerline and he corrected and applied full power for takeoff. At this time, the aircraft turned left and the pilot attempted to correct, "...but it wouldn't correct. I froze at the controls and the airplane veered to the left side of the runway, hit the snow and stopped suddenly." A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and no preexisting anomalies were detected with respect to the aircraft. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties. In his written report, the student pilot listed his total flight experience as 18.7 hours with 2.4 hours as pilot in command. The weather report for the accident airport listed the wind as 200 degrees magnetic at 12 knots at 1053 cst. On the take off portion of a touch-and-go, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway and the nose gear collapsed as the aircraft traveled through the snow adjacent to the runway. The student pilot said that he had been practicing maneuvers and returned to the airport to land. The pilot said that the first landing after returning, was, "...somewhat rough...." The pilot said, "After landing I felt that conditions were too windy for flying without an instructor, however the hobbs time indicated that I still had time for a few more touch-n-go's so I went ahead and flew 2 more." The pilot said that after the third landing, the aircraft was slightly off centerline and he corrected and applied full power for takeoff. At this time, the aircraft turned left and the pilot attempted to correct, "...but it wouldn't correct. I froze at the controls and the airplane veered to the left side of the runway, hit the snow and stopped suddenly." No preexisting anomalies were detected with respect to the aircraft and the pilot reported none. The student pilot listed his total flight experience as 18.7 hours with 2.4 hours as pilot in command. The winds at the airport were 200 degrees magnetic at 12 knots and the pilot was taking off on runway 24. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12