CHI96LA004

The landing was being made on runway 09. Winds reported 15 miles from the accident site were from 200 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot stated he made a crosswind landing and twice the airplane touched down and became airborne. On the third touchdown, the nose gear collapsed.

On October 9, 1995, at 1840 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 152II, N6469P, experienced a nose gear collapse following a loss of control while landing at the Big Beaver Airport, Troy, Michigan. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Big Beaver Airport at 1800 edt.

The pilot stated he listened to the Pontiac ATIS and called the Big Beaver Unicom for airport advisories prior to making an approach to runway 09. Pontiac ATIS was reporting winds from 220 degrees at 10 knots. He stated that while on final approach with full flaps, he last noticed an airspeed of 60 knots prior to flaring for touchdown. He reported he set up for a slight right crosswind landing, touching down on the right main gear first. The airplane became airborne again and, according to the pilot, he added power to "stabilize" the airplane. The airplane then touched down on both main gear and once again the airplane bounced. When the airplane touched down a third time, the pilot stated, he heard a "sharp crack" then the nose dropped to the runway.

The airplane was inspected by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who reported that nose gear had collapsed, the firewall was buckled and wrinkles were present in the bulkhead behind the firewall.