# NTSB FTW02LA149: Cessna 152, N48819, Houston, TX, May 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2002, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.61008, -95.119155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6101&lon=-95.1192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54682 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54682/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54682 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA149 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - inadequate, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis With a flight instructor on board, the student pilot demonstrated four touch-and-go landings on runway 15, and one approach that was followed by a go-around. The flight instructor reported that the wind was "straight down the runway at 7 knots." The instructor exited the airplane so that the student pilot could solo the airplane in the traffic pattern. This was the student's fifth solo flight. The student pilot performed the first touch-and-go landing without incident. During the second approach, while on short final, she noted that her airspeed was "around 80 knots, which was too high." She attempted to slow the airplane; however, due to "gusty winds on short final, [she] panicked." The student reported that the airplane was "near the runway" when the airplane encountered a downdraft, which "caused [it] to slam onto the runway" with both main landing gear. The airplane bounced two times, during which the nose landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A weather observation facility 23 miles southeast of the accident site reported the wind from 190 degrees at 15 knots near the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2002, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48819, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by MVP Aviation Inc., of Houston, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional solo flight. The local flight originated from the Weiser Airpark Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1100. According to the flight instructor and student pilot, the flight departed and flew to the West Houston Airport. The student pilot demonstrated four touch-and-go landings on runway 15, and one approach that was followed by a go-around. The flight instructor reported that the wind was "straight down the runway at 7 knots." The instructor then exited the airplane so that the student pilot could solo the airplane in the traffic pattern. The instructor stated that this was the student's fifth solo flight. The student pilot performed the first touch-and-go landing without incident. During the second approach, while on short final, the student noted that her airspeed was "around 80 knots, which was too high." She attempted to slow the airplane; however, due to "gusty winds on short final, [she] panicked." The student reported that the airplane was "near the runway" when it encountered a downdraft, which "caused [it] to slam onto the runway" with both main landing gear. The airplane bounced two times, during which the nose landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. At 1153, the weather observation facility at the William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas, (located 23 miles southeast of the accident site) reported the wind from 190 degrees at 15 knots. According to the FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the engine firewall was wrinkled and the vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48819](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48819-2004-09-27), registration cancelled 2004-09-27, S/N 15280981, 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: 15280981 - Airframe hours: 10000 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: MVP Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: EYQ, Houston, TX - Destination: EYQ - Airport: IWS, West Houston, runway 15, 3,953 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 23 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 20020509009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020509009349A), May 9, 2002: Cessna 152, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 9, 2002, at 1210 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N48819, was substantially damaged during landing at the west Houston airport,… ## Other investigations on N48819 (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 FTW94LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA085), Feb 23, 1994: Cessna 152 (N48819), Eagle Lake, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54682. 433 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40163444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40163445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF 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.