# NTSB ATL87LA186: Cessna 152, N45994, Dothan, AL, June 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1987, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Dothan, AL
- Coordinates: 31.140995, -85.399688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1410&lon=-85.3997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA186

## 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)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMM PLT HELD A HELICOPTER RATING AND WAS TRAINING FOR HIS PRIVATE PILOT SINGLE-ENGINE-LAND RATING. HE HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS IN FIXED WING AIRCRAFT WITH 6 HOURS AS PIC. THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED TWO LANDINGS AND ON THE THIRDAPPROACH STATED HE WAS HIGH ON FINAL. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH, LANDED HARD, BOUNCED AT LEAST TWICE AND ON THE THIRD BOUNCE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP ON THE MAIN GEAR AND THE NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45994-2018-04-20), registration cancelled 2018-04-20, S/N 15282979, built 1978 (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: 15282979
- Airframe hours: 3133
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2L 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dothan Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: T. E. Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 29, 1987, 41 hours before
- Airport: 37J, Wheelless, runway 25, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 789 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 6 nm away

## 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 19870625027059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870625027059A), Jun 25, 1987: Cessna 152, Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Landed long. Bounced. Hard landing. High and fast on final. Nose gear collapsed. Stopped on nose and main gear.

## Other investigations on N45994 (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 WPR09LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA040), Nov 16, 2008: Cessna 152 (N45994), Atwater, CA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The second pilot's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane.

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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