# NTSB CHI94LA123: Cessna 152, N89761, Dubuque, IA, March 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 1994, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Dubuque, IA - Coordinates: 42.430702, -90.670753 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4307&lon=-90.6708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9498/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA123 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The student pilot's lack of total flight experience was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT STATED HE WAS HIGH AND FAST ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED WHEN HE FLARED HE FELT THE AIRPLANE CLIMB, SO HE PUSHED THE YOKE FORWARD. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE HIT THE RUNWAY HARD SO HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. WHEN THE STUDENT PILOT PUSHED THE YOKE FORWARD AGAIN, THE NOSE GEAR IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED 21.3 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, INCLUDING 1.5 HOURS AS PILOT IN COMMAND. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 1994, at 1515 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N89761, operated as an instructional flight by the University of Dubuque, sustained substantial damage when it nosed down after a bounced, hard landing at Dubuque, Iowa. The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Dubuque, Iowa, approximately 1440. The student pilot stated he returned from a solo flight in the local practice area, intending to practice touch and go landings at Dubuque. He entered the downwind leg for runway 31 and was cleared for "touch and go." He reported he extended his traffic pattern because he was unable to locate the traffic he was supposed to follow. The student pilot was high and fast on final approach to the runway. He stated he "...tried to flare but...I felt the airplane wanting to climb. I then put the yoke forward so I could get closer to the runway....the airplane hit the runway hard so I pulled back on the yoke....As I pulled back the wheels hit against the runway....I thought I would push the nose forward....But, when I pushed forward the nose wheel hit the runway and snapped... ." The student pilot reported 21.3 hours total flight time, including 1.5 hours as pilot in command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89761](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89761-2006-03-28), registration cancelled 2006-03-28, S/N 15282856, 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: 15282856 - Airframe hours: 6515 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Greenawalt, Tom F., Trustee, doing business as University Of Dubuque - Registered owner: Greenawalt, Tom F. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1993, 80 hours before - Airport: DBQ, Dubuque Regional, runway 31, 6,498 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DBQ ## 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 19940325000419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940325000419A), Mar 25, 1994: Cessna 152, Dubuque, IA, Substantial damage. Bounced 3 times on runway while doing touch and go's. upgraded to accident by AAI100 (.4)the solo student pilot stated he was high and fast on final approach… 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.