# NTSB ATL06CA018: Cessna 152, N5144L, Durham, NC, November 5, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2005, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Durham, NC
- Coordinates: 36.060001, -78.783889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0600&lon=-78.7839&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Greensboro FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA018

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare on landing flare touchdown resulting in a hard landing and collapse of the nose gear.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The pilot departed on a VFR flight in the local area. Upon return to the departure airport the pilot entered the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot stated the landing flare touch down was high and the airplane landed hard, The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems before the accident. The accident was reported late to the NTSB on November 22, 2005.

## Factual narrative

The pilot departed on a VFR flight in the local area. Upon return to the departure airport the pilot entered the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot stated the landing flare touch down was high and the airplane landed hard, The nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed the fire wall was buckled. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems before the accident. The accident was reported late to the NTSB on November 22, 2005.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5144L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5144L), registered now, S/N 15284270, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284270
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Empire Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 8NC8, Durham, CA
- Airport: 8NC8, Lake Ridge Aero Park Airport, runway 14, 3,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 179 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: RDU

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20051105028789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051105028789A), Nov 5, 2005: Cessna 152, Durham, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was approaching runway 14 for a normal landing. The aircraft made contact with the surface, then bounced, became airborne once again. When the…

## Other investigations on N5144L (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW99LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA195), Jul 21, 1999: Cessna 152 (N5144L), Frisco, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the simulated soft field takeoff.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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