The flight instructor reported that, during an instructional flight with the student pilot at the flight controls, the Cessna 152 encountered a microburst during takeoff from an airport near Salt Lake City, Utah.
As the airplane started to descend, he assumed control of the airplane, checked the engine RPMs and throttle. Despite his actions the airplane continued to descend.
Unable to maintain altitude, he elected to land on a soccer field. During the landing roll, the right wing hit a tree, resulting in substantial damage.
Witnesses near the accident reported that the airplane encountered a “microburst” and “big gust of wind,” and it then began to descend toward the ground. One witness stated that it appeared as if the airplane was “…fighting to gain altitude.”
An FAA inspector reported that the accident flight was captured on airport surveillance camera, and showed the airplane take off in a normal climb profile.
About 50 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the plane was seen making small abrupt changes in altitude that the inspector indicated was consistent with encountering turbulence. As the airplane continued the climb, it flew into a wall of vertical dust and appeared to be in a descent. The video showed the airplane as it continued forward in the dust while still in a descent until it was no longer visible in the video frame.
Probable Cause: The airplane’s encounter with a microburst during initial climb that resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent collision with a tree.
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This September 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Too bad we can’t see the video.
If the ‘skeeters don’t get you, the ‘gators will.
/J