Casualties unknown

1997-08-31: Cessna 152 (N65273) — Imperial, CA

Imperial, CA, US

On August 31, 1997, a Cessna 152 (registration N65273) was involved in an aviation accident near Imperial, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and to arrest porpoising after an improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors in the accident were the misjudging of distance and speed during a downwind landing. 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 student pilot on a solo cross-country flight made a steep approach to a runway with a 10-knot tailwind. The aircraft bounced twice, veered off, porpoised three times, then nosed over after the nose wheel collapsed.

Incident Overview

During a solo cross-country flight, a student pilot approached the intended runway at a steep angle. The pilot selected a runway that had a 10-knot tailwind component for landing. The aircraft's flaps were extended to 10 degrees.

Landing Sequence

The aircraft touched down approximately 1,200 feet from the end of the 5,304-foot-long runway. The initial touchdown was followed by two bounces before the aircraft veered off the runway surface. Marks in the dirt indicated that the aircraft then porpoised three additional times. During the porpoising, the nose wheel collapsed, causing the aircraft to nose over.

Aircraft Information

The report does not specify the aircraft make, model, or registration. The engine count and other details are not provided.

Pilot Information

The pilot was a student pilot operating alone on a cross-country flight. No further details about the pilot or qualifications are available in the source.

Conclusion

The source does not state a probable cause for the incident. The sequence of events is described, but no analysis or causal factors are given.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X08695. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.