# NTSB ATL96LA064: Cessna 152, N105AT, Baxley, GA, March 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1996, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Baxley, GA - Coordinates: 31.759017, -82.350234 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7590&lon=-82.3502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 26, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3707 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3707/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA064 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, a collapsed nose gear, and a subsequent nose over. ## 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) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - Nose over, landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the flare to touchdown phase of the approach, the airplane dropped onto the runway. As the airplane touched down, the pilot felt and heard the nose gear assembly collapse. After the touchdown, the pilot applied power and executed a go-around. While the pilot maneuvered for the second approach, he noted that the left rudder pedal was stuck on the floor and he did not have total rudder control. After the landing, the pilot held the nose off the runway as long as possible. When the nose section touched down, the airplane veered off the runway, and nosed over in the sod area next to the runway. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem, nor did the pilot report a mechanical problem. According to the Fixed Base Operator, the winds were shifting between 300 and 010 degrees as the pilot attempted the first landing. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1996, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N105AT, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and nose over during landing at the Baxley Municipal Airport in Baxley, Georgia. No injuries were incurred by the private pilot or his passenger in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed St. Petersburg, Florida, at about 1310. The pilot stated that during the first landing attempt, he felt and heard the nose gear collapse, as the airplane touched down on the runway. At this point the pilot executed a go-around and established a traffic pattern for runway 26. While establishing the approach, the pilot realized that the nose gear had separated and the left rudder pedal was stuck on the floor, and he had no rudder control. On the second landing attempt he shut down the engine and the propeller stopped horizontally. The pilot held the nose off as long as possible. He stated that when the nose wheel touched down, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway, and nosed over in the sod area next to the runway. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem, nor did the pilot report a mechanical problem with the airplane. According to the Fixed Base Operator, the winds were shifting between 300 and 010 degrees as the pilot was attempting the first landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N105AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105AT-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 15281406, 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: 15281406 - Engines: Lycoming IO-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George R. Smith - Registered owner: Chartercraft Lsg And Sls Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Destination: 30J - Airport: 30J, Baxley Municipal, runway 8, 3,800 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 173 total, 143 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMG, 13 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 19960312005789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960312005789A), Mar 12, 1996: Cessna 152, Baxley, GA, Substantial damage. (.19) On March 12, 1996, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N105AT, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and nose over during… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.