Casualties unknown

1996-01-11: Cessna 152 (N93103) — Thomas Burke Mast — Fort Myers, FL

Fort Myers, FL, US

On January 11, 1996, a Cessna 152 (registration N93103) operated by Thomas Burke Mast was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Myers, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's improper flare to touchdown. 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

A flight instructor reported that a student pilot experienced porpoising during the flare of his third supervised solo landing, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and nose over.

What happened

The incident occurred during a training flight involving a student pilot under supervision. According to the flight instructor, this event marked the student's third supervised solo flight. The initial phase of the operation proceeded without issue, as the first two landings were completed normally.

However, complications arose during the approach for the third landing. As the aircraft entered the flare phase in preparation for touchdown, it began to porpoise. This unstable oscillation caused the airplane to collide with the ground surface. Following the impact, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and subsequently nosed over.

The investigation

The flight instructor provided a direct account of the events leading up to the accident. The narrative focuses on the specific phase of flight where the instability manifested. No mechanical failures or external factors were cited in the immediate description of the event.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05092. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.