On September 1, 1991, a Cessna C-152 (registration N89022) operated by Main, Stanley G. was involved in an aviation accident near Palo Alto, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING BY THE STUDENT PILOT AND THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot's hard landing caused a bounce to about 20 feet. The instructor took control but could not prevent a stall. The aircraft struck the runway with left wing and tail, then departed the runway and hit a runway light. No mechanical issues were found.
Accident Sequence
A student pilot was conducting a landing maneuver. During the touchdown, the aircraft contacted the runway with excessive vertical speed, resulting in a hard landing. The impact caused the airplane to rebound into the air, climbing to an estimated altitude of 20 feet. Recognizing the situation, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane. Despite the instructor's intervention, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall before control could be fully established. The stalled airplane then descended and made contact with the runway surface, first with the left wing and subsequently with the tail section. The momentum of this impact directed the airplane to the left, causing it to depart the side of the runway. While off the runway, the airplane struck a runway light, which was damaged in the collision.
Post-Accident Investigation
An examination of the airplane after the accident did not identify any mechanical failures or malfunctions that were present prior to the event. The aircraft's systems and structure were found to be operational and intact, with no pre-existing anomalies noted.