Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR23LA029

San Jose, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N5171B

CESSNA 152

Analysis

The student pilot reported that, he was performing a solo flight with the intention of staying in the traffic pattern, when after takeoff he was distracted by noise in his headset. On the downwind leg, he unintentionally climbed above traffic pattern altitude while trying to resolve the issue. He then overshot the runway centerline on the final leg while still too high. He brought the power to idle and tried to lose altitude by performing a forward slip. The pilot stated he leveled off over the threshold and the airplane bounced twice after touching the runway. After attempting to regain pitch control, the airplane’s nose dropped, and the propeller and left wing impacted the runway. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilots unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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