# NTSB CHI96LA076: Cessna 152, N24311, Chesterfield, MO, January 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 1996, 09:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.64989, -90.579154 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6499&lon=-90.5792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10185/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA076 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the flare and performed an improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the inadequate ground instruction concerning recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate initial training, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,wheel - overload - remedial action - improper, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he was on his first unsupervised solo, and was practicing touch-and-go's. On the first landing he hit hard and began to porpoise. He tried to set an approach attitude after the third bounce, but lost directional control on the ground. The airplane was heading for a row of hangars so he attempted to takeoff, but was unable to clear the hangars. The airplane struck the hangars at the roof line and came to a stop. The student pilot's instructor reported that instruction concerning porpoising had been discussed. The student pilot recalled that he had received instruction about porpoising, but it had not been discussed in detail. He had been told to set an approach attitude, but was uncertain exactly what that meant. Parts of the wheel rim were found on the runway. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 1996, at 0935 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N24311, operated by Phoenix Aviation, Chesterfield, Missouri, sustained substantial damage when it impacted and remained on the roof of a hangar after an aborted landing. The student pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri, on a local student flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot reported that he planned to practice touch and go's during the flight. On the first landing he hit hard and bounced. The airplane landed on the nose wheel and started porpoising. He reported that he tried to recover after the third bounce by setting an approach attitude, but lost directional control. The airplane veered off runway 26R to the left 90 degrees, and was heading for a row of hangars. He applied full throttle and tried to gain enough altitude to clear the hangars. The airplane impacted the hangar at the roof line and came to a stop. The pilot secured the airplane, and with help from others, was able to climb down to safety. An Operations Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the student pilot was on his first unsupervised solo. He reported that the skid marks on the ground revealed that the airplane veered off the runway and was still on the ground as it headed for the hangars. He also reported that parts of the wheel rim had broken off during the impact and been found on the runway. The Operations Inspector asked the student pilot's flight instructor about the student pilot's flight proficiency. The instructor characterized the student pilot as a "great student" who was quick to learn and apply new knowledge. Asked whether recovery from a porpoising situation had been covered during their instruction, the instructor responded that the situation had been discussed. When the student pilot was questioned about instruction he had received concerning porpoising, he recalled it had been discussed, but not in detail. The student pilot reported that the instructor had told him to re-establish the approach attitude, but he was uncertain exactly what that meant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24311](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24311-1996-06-20), registration cancelled 1996-06-20, S/N 15280209 (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: 15280209 - Airframe hours: 6556 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Phoenix Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1995, 76 hours before - Departed: SUS - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis, runway 26R, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 15 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SUS, 1 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 19960114046769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960114046769A), Jan 14, 1996: Cessna 152, Chesterfield, MO, Destroyed. (-16) Student pilot on first unsupervised solo bounced on touch and go. Aircraft began to "porpoise" damaging the nose gear and fracturing wheel rims. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N24311 (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC82DA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA032), Feb 15, 1982: Cessna 152 (N24311), Chesterfield, MO, substantial damage 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.