NTSB Factual Report

On July 29, 2003, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N910MF, owned and operated by MDR Rental Corporation, was destroyed on impact with a tree and terrain and post impact fire following an aborted landing on runway 01 (2,822 feet by 100 feet, dry turf) at Shamrock Field Airport (6G8), near Brooklyn, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot reported minor injuries, and his passenger was seriously injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed from 6G8 at about 1500 and was landing at 6G8 at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that the airplane bounced and veered to the left after touchdown. The pilot stated that he thought he had blown the left tire and tried to correct by increasing the throttle and raising one notch of flaps. The pilot indicated that he did not have enough airspeed and the left wingtip hit a tree. The airplane impacted a marsh and caught on fire.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and accident site. The inspector stated that the accident airplane's tires left initial touch down witness marks at the midpoint of the runway. He stated the marks indicated the airplane "bounced several times, departed the west side of the runway, crossed a grave service road, and continued north [approximately] 100 ... yards before the tire marks disappeared [approximately] 100 ft. south of Wampler's Lake Rd. The tire marks left as a result of the bounces had burned the grass to the dirt. Further inspection of the grass strip failed to produce any rubber tire material or other aircraft parts." The airplane's fuselage was consumed by fire. There was evidence of melted rubber on both main landing gear wheel rims. The condition of the left main tire could not be determined as the fire consumed it. Flight control continuity was established. Throttle and mixture controls were found in the full forward position. The inspector's statement did not show any airplane anomalies were detected.

At 1456, the recorded weather at Jackson County Airport-Reynolds Field, near Jackson, Michigan, was: Wind variable at 3 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; Sky condition scattered 5,000 feet, scattered 7,500 feet; temperature 26 degrees C; dew point 12 degrees C; altimeter 30.04 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane.