No fatalities

Airplane Experiences Nose Wheel Collapse During Landing (N89038)

Lakeville, MN, US

On September 23, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N89038) operated by Flyteline Services Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Lakeville, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's assumption of a nose-down attitude during the flare in an attempt to land quickly due to side drift, resulting in a nose-wheel-first touchdown that collapsed the nose wheel. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose wheel collapsed during landing after the pilot assumed a nose-down attitude to compensate for side drift. The pilot was not injured.

Accident Overview

A personal flight ended with a landing accident when the airplane nosed down and touched down nose wheel first, causing the nose wheel to collapse. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but the sole occupant, a private pilot, was not injured.

Pilot Narrative

According to the pilot/operator aircraft accident report, during the landing flare, he adopted a nose-down attitude in an effort to land as soon as possible due to a side drift. He stated that the airplane subsequently touched down with the nose wheel first, leading to the collapse of the nose wheel.

Damage Assessment

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. No other injuries or damage were reported. The event occurred at the conclusion of the flight.

Probable cause

The pilot's assumption of a nose-down attitude during the flare in an attempt to land quickly due to side drift, resulting in a nose-wheel-first touchdown that collapsed the nose wheel.

All Cessna 152 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Sept 1990 Cessna 152 accident near Lakeville, MN?

An airplane sustained substantial damage when its nose wheel collapsed during landing after the pilot assumed a nose-down attitude to compensate for side drift. The pilot was not injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Sept 1990 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Sept 1990 involved a Cessna 152, registration N89038, operated by Flyteline Services Inc., at Lakeville, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's assumption of a nose-down attitude during the flare in an attempt to land quickly due to side drift, resulting in a nose-wheel-first touchdown that collapsed the nose wheel.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24231. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.