Casualties unknown

Nose gear collapse following high-speed overrun and bounce (N24509)

Bloomsburg, PA, US

On November 2, 1985, a Cessna 152 (registration N24509) was involved in an aviation accident near Bloomsburg, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to land on a short runway with a significant tailwind, resulting in an excessive touchdown speed, runway overrun, and subsequent loss of control due to nose gear collapse. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft touched down with excessive speed due to a long tailwind, bounced off the runway surface, and collapsed its nose gear upon recontact.

What happened

The pilot attempted to land on a runway measuring 2000 feet in length. The approach was conducted with significant performance challenges, specifically encountering a 15-knot tailwind component and clearing an obstacle exceeding 30 feet in height during the final approach segment.

Upon crossing the threshold, the aircraft touched down approximately halfway along the available pavement. Due to excessive residual speed, the aircraft failed to decelerate within the remaining runway distance. It overran the paved surface and became airborne again for a short duration. The subsequent touchdown occurred at a nose-low attitude, which resulted in the collapse of the nose gear and a nose-over incident.

The investigation

Examination of the event revealed that the landing was performed with excessive airspeed relative to the runway length and environmental conditions. The structural failure of the nose landing gear was directly caused by the high-energy impact associated with the bounce and subsequent nose-down contact after the overrun.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land on a short runway with a significant tailwind, resulting in an excessive touchdown speed, runway overrun, and subsequent loss of control due to nose gear collapse.

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Nov 1985 Cessna 152 accident near Bloomsburg, PA?

Aircraft touched down with excessive speed due to a long tailwind, bounced off the runway surface, and collapsed its nose gear upon recontact.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Nov 1985 involved a Cessna 152, registration N24509, at Bloomsburg, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to land on a short runway with a significant tailwind, resulting in an excessive touchdown speed, runway overrun, and subsequent loss of control due to nose gear collapse.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X38305. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.