Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near San Jose, CA — 2022-11-13

Final reportWPR23LA029
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Date
2022-11-13
Location
San Jose, CA, USA
Airport
RHV
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N5171B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilots unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, he was performing a solo flight with the intention of staying in the traffic pattern, when after takeoff he was distracted by noise in his headset. On the downwind leg, he unintentionally climbed above traffic pattern altitude while trying to resolve the issue. He then overshot the runway centerline on the final leg while still too high. He brought the power to idle and tried to lose altitude by performing a forward slip. The pilot stated he leveled off over the threshold and the airplane bounced twice after touching the runway. After attempting to regain pitch control, the airplane’s nose dropped, and the propeller and left wing impacted the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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