No fatalities

29 May 2008: Cessna CE-152 — Alpha Tango Flying Services Inc. — Castroville, TX

Castroville, TX, United States

On 29 May 2008, a Cessna CE-152 operated by Alpha Tango Flying Services Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Castroville, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An improper flare during landing. Contributing to the accident was a porpoise induced oscillation. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A 44-hour student pilot on a second solo flight experienced a hard landing and multiple bounces on runway 15, resulting in a nose gear collapse and substantial damage to the forward firewall. No injuries were reported.

Accident Sequence

The student pilot, who had accumulated 44 hours of flight time, was conducting his second solo flight. During the landing on runway 15, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The airplane bounced three times, with each subsequent bounce being more severe than the previous one. Following the third bounce, the airplane touched down nose gear first. The propeller struck the runway surface, and the nose gear collapsed.

Damage and Injuries

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the forward firewall. There were no injuries to the solo pilot.

Witness Report

The flight instructor witnessed the accident and reported that the winds were light and variable at the time of the landing.

Contributing factors

Causes

Incorrect use/operation

Other contributing factors

Pilot