# NTSB DFW08CA162: Cessna CE-152, N4789P, Castroville, TX, May 29, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Castroville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.338333, -98.850555
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3383&lon=-98.8506&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 August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Antonio FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA162

## Probable cause

An improper flare during landing. Contributing to the accident was a porpoise induced oscillation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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

The student pilot was on his second solo flight when the airplane bounced during a hard landing on runway 15. The airplane bounced three times with each bounce harder than the previous bounce. After the third bounce the airplane landed nose gear first, the propeller struck the runway, and the nose gear collapsed. There was substantial damage to the forward firewall. The instructor pilot witnessed the accident and reported the winds as light and variable.

## Factual narrative

The 44 hour student pilot was on his second solo flight when the airplane bounced during a hard landing on runway 15. The airplane bounced three times with each bounce harder than the previous bounce. After the third bounce the airplane landed nose gear first, the propeller struck the runway, and the nose gear collapsed. There was substantial damage to the forward firewall, but no injuries to the solo pilot. The instructor pilot witnessed the accident and reported the winds as light and variable.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4789P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4789P-2015-12-05), registration cancelled 2015-12-05, S/N 15284817, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna CE-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: 15284817
- Airframe hours: 7626
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Alpha Tango Flying Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Laguna Verde Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2008
- Departed: T89, Castroville, TX
- Destination: Castroville, TX
- Airport: T89, Castroville Muni, runway 15, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 44 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20080529839019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080529839019A), May 29, 2008: Cessna 152, Castroville, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 29, 2008, a student pilot doing takeoffs and landings, supervised by a CFI (see second pilot info) on the ground with a hand-held radio, porpoised…

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.

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