Casualties unknown

1990-04-18: Cessna 152 (N48259) — Stenson Aviation — New Castle, PA

New Castle, PA, US

On April 18, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N48259) operated by Stenson Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near New Castle, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY A STUDENT PILOT. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing practice flight, a student pilot raised the airplane to a level attitude, triggering the stall warning horn. The student then pushed forward on the yoke, causing the nose wheel to strike the runway and shear off before the instructor regained control.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor and a student pilot were practicing landings in an airplane. On the final approach and landing, the student pilot raised the airplane to a level attitude. The stall warning horn activated. According to the flight instructor, the student pilot then pushed forward on the control yoke, resulting in a nose-low pitch attitude. The nose wheel struck the runway and separated from the airplane. The flight instructor subsequently regained control of the airplane, which came to a stop in approximately 200 feet.

Sequence of Events

The training flight involved multiple landing practices. During the last approach, the student pilot maneuvered the airplane into a level attitude. This action caused the stall warning horn to sound. In response, the student pilot applied forward pressure on the control yoke, placing the airplane in a nose-down pitch. The nose wheel contacted the runway with sufficient force to shear off. The instructor then took over control and brought the airplane to a halt within about 200 feet.

Aircraft Damage

The nose wheel was sheared off during the incident. No other damage is reported in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23011. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.