Aviation Accident Summary FTW00LA238

WICHITA FALLS, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N4711L

Cessna 152

Analysis

The student pilot attempted to land on runway 17 with 20 degrees of flaps. According to the pilot, during the landing, the nose landing gear touched the runway first, 'causing the aircraft to bounce.' The airplane bounced a second time, and 'then on contact with the runway the third time, the nose gear collapsed.' Subsequently, the airplane skidded to the left edge of the runway, and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that he was never made aware of how to recover from a bounced landing.

Factual Information

On August 21, 2000, at 0945 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N4711L, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Kickapoo Downtown Airpark, Wichita Falls, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional solo flight. The local flight departed the Kickapoo Airpark at 0900. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 26-hour pilot stated that he attempted to land on runway 17 with 20 degrees of flaps. He reported that the wind was from the south-southwest at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. During the landing, "the nose gear touched the runway first, causing the aircraft to bounce." The airplane bounced a second time, "then on contact with the runway the third time, the nose gear collapsed," structurally damaging the firewall. Subsequently, the airplane skidded to the left edge of the runway, and came to rest upright. In the Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation section, the pilot reported that he was "never made aware of the method to recover from this situation. I should have been instructed regarding a bounced landing."

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's delayed landing flare and failure to recover from the ensuing bounced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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