Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Idaho Falls, ID — 2011-06-10

Final reportWPR11CA262
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Date
2011-06-10
Location
Idaho Falls, ID, USA
Airport
IDA
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N89439
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting his third solo flight. On approach to the runway the airplane was at 65 knots with 20 degrees of flaps as the pilot began his landing flare at approximately 8-10 feet. According to the pilot, the airplane then appeared to have lost lift and landed hard on the runway. The airplane bounced into the air and traveled approximately 30 feet before descending toward the ground again. The pilot attempted to pull back on the control yoke before it impacted the runway. Although the airplane responded to the input it struck the ground in a nose down attitude, collapsing the nose landing gear strut and wheel into the fuselage, and the aircraft skidded on its nose about 20 yards. The nose wheel landing gear collapsed and there was substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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