# NTSB ATL97LA008: Cessna 152, N757CU, Macon, GA, October 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1996, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Macon, GA
- Coordinates: 32.800476, -83.620887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8005&lon=-83.6209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA008

## Probable cause

premature flare by the dual student, and his improper remedial action to correct the flare; and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI).

## Analysis

The flight instructor (CFI) reported that the dual student flared prematurely (too high above the runway) during landing. The student was advised to reduce power. Simultaneously, the student reduced power and pushed the yoke forward, lowering the nose of the airplane, abruptly. The nose wheel struck the runway before the instructor could take control of the airplane. The airplane bounced, then was landed. During the landing, the nose wheel collapsed as it was lowered to the runway.

## Factual narrative

On October 25, 1996, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757CU, collapsed the nose landing gear during the flare/touchdown at the Herbert Smart Airport, Macon, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Southeastern Flight Academy under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the dual instructional flight. There were no injuries to the certificated flight instructor nor the student, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Herbert Smart Airport, Macon, Georgia, about one hour prior to the accident.

The flight instructor reported that as the airplane was flared for landing, too high above the runway, he advised the student to reduce power. The student reduced power and pushed the yoke forward, simultaneously. The nose wheel struck the runway before the instructor could take control of the airplane. The airplane bounced, then was landed. During the landing roll, the nose wheel collapsed as it was lowered to the runway.

The operator did not provide a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, as requested by a letter dated November 6, 1996 (attached).

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757CU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757CU-2009-03-13), registration cancelled 2009-03-13, S/N 15279640, built 1977 (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: 15279640
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Southeastern School Of Aeronau
- Registered owner: Buka Norman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MAC
- Airport: MAC, Herbert Smart Downtown, runway 28, 4,695 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 10 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 19961025033949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961025033949A), Oct 25, 1996: Cessna 152, Macon, GA, Substantial damage. Student pilot flared the aircraft too high on landing and overcorrected the aircraft, landed nose first.

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.