# NTSB DFW08CA093: Cessna 152, N24768, Arlington, TX, February 8, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 8, 2008, 12:11 local (17:11 UTC) - Place: Arlington, TX - Coordinates: 32.673053, -97.101387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6731&lon=-97.1014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67767 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67767/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA093 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusty surface winds and the student pilot's inadequate preflight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a solo long cross country flight the student pilot stated that he failed to touchdown at either destination airport because of strong headwinds and gusty surface winds. During his return to his departure airport the student pilot stated that he did a go-around on his first landing attempt because of surface winds which he recalled were gusting to 37 knots. On the second landing attempt the student pilot stated that a gust of wind pushed him down to the runway. The airplane then bounced and landed hard on the nose gear causing structural damage to the nose gear and the firewall. A review of the student pilot's logbook shows the flight instructor had cleared the student pilot for the solo long cross country flight even though the student pilot's logbook endorsement showed a maximum surface wind limitation of 20 knots. ## Factual narrative During a solo long cross country flight the student pilot stated that he failed to touch down at either destination airport because of strong headwinds and gusty surface winds. During his return to his departure airport the student pilot stated that he did a go-around on his first landing attempt because of surface winds which he recalled were gusting to 37 knots. On the second landing attempt the student pilot stated that a gust of wind pushed him down to the runway. The airplane then bounced and landed hard on the nose gear causing structural damage to the nose gear and the firewall. A review of the student pilot's logbook shows the flight instructor had cleared the student pilot for the solo long cross country flight even though the student pilot's logbook endorsement showed a maximum surface wind limitation of 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24768](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24768-2012-08-16), registration cancelled 2012-08-16, S/N 15280366, 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: 15280366 - Airframe hours: 7808 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Skymates Inc. - Registered owner: Skymates Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2008 - Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX - Destination: F54, Arlington, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: F54, Arlington Municipal, runway 16, 6,080 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KGKY ## 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 20080208832119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080208832119A), Feb 8, 2008: Cessna 152, Arlington, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) This student pilot was signed off and departed on this cross-country flight when the early morning winds were very light. The wind direction changed and… 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.