No fatalities

25 May 2010: CESSNA 152 — KS Aviation INC. — Merced, CA

Merced, CA, United States

On 25 May 2010, a CESSNA 152 operated by KS Aviation INC. was involved in an aviation accident near Merced, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's lack of experience resulted in an inability to recognize an immediate go-around situation. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot on his second solo flight experienced multiple bounces during his first landing attempt, resulting in the propeller striking the runway and the nose gear collapsing, causing substantial damage.

Incident Overview

A student pilot, operating on his second solo flight, was performing his first attempted landing when the aircraft experienced multiple bounces after touchdown. According to the pilot, the airplane "bounced an unknown amount of times" until the propeller struck the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The student pilot attributed the event to his lack of experience, stating, "as a result of my lack of experience I was unable to recognize an immediate go-around situation."

Damage Assessment

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing spars and firewall. The extent of damage indicates significant structural impact, but no information was provided regarding injuries or other damage items.

Pilot Background

The student pilot was on his second solo flight at the time of the incident. No further details about the pilot's training history or the specific aircraft type were available.

Sequence of Events

The landing attempt began normally, but after touchdown, the aircraft began to bounce repeatedly. The pilot did not execute a go-around, and the bounces continued until the propeller made contact with the runway surface, followed by the collapse of the nose gear. The aircraft then came to a stop on the runway.

Reported Causes

In the pilot's own words, the inability to recognize the need for a go-around was due to his lack of experience. No other causal factors were identified in the report.

Probable cause

The student pilot's lack of experience resulted in an inability to recognize an immediate go-around situation.

Contributing factors

Student pilot