NTSB Factual Report

On November 25, 2006, about 1538 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N93239, sustained substantial damage after impacting a fence pole following a long landing and runway excursion at the Missoula International Airport (MSO), Missoula, Montana. The airplane is registered to and operated by Minuteman Aviation of Missoula. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed MSO approximately 1445.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the student pilot reported that he was instructed by his instructor to remain in the airport traffic pattern to practice touch-and-go landings. The student stated that after departing on Runway 29 and being requested by air traffic control to alter his course for traffic, he then proceeded northwest to a training area, over flew the area, and then returned to MSO to practice touch-and-go landings as instructed. The student further stated that after entering left downwind for Runway 29 he encountered a heavy squall that had moved into the airport traffic area. The student reported that the controller instructed him to make a 180-degree turn, and that he understood the controller had issued him clearance to land on Runway 07. The student stated that after touching down at the runway's midpoint, and careful not to apply too much braking, the airplane subsequently ran off the end of the runway. The student reported that he then applied left brake in an attempt to get back on a service road. However, during the maneuver the airplane's right wing impacted a fence post, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the right wing's rear spar, as well as damage to the airplane's propeller. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane prior to the flight.

At 1540, the MSO Automated Surface Observing System issued a special observation, which reported wind 190 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 2 ½ statute miles, light snow showers, broken clouds at 2,900 feet, broken clouds at 4,500 feet, broken clouds at 5,500 feet, temperature 1 degree C, dew point minus 4 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.85 inches of Mercury. Snow showers began at 36 minutes after the hour.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's misjudged distance/speed during final approach, which resulted in an overrun during landing roll and collision with a fence.