# NTSB ATL88LA011: Cessna 152, N5117B, Columbia, SC, October 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1987, 12:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 34.00069, -81.03086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0007&lon=-81.0309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS FLYING SOLO FOR THE FIRST TIME. TWO LANDINGS HAD BEEN COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FINAL APPROACH AND TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD CAUSING THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5117B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5117B-1989-06-12), registration cancelled 1989-06-12, S/N 15283757 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152837
- Airframe hours: 5229
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Eagle Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metro, runway 5, 4,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE

## 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 19871014059699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871014059699A), Oct 14, 1987: Cessna 152, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Student pilot failed to correct low altitude on final and the aircraft landed hard 8 feet short of the runway.

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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