# NTSB FTW83LA208: Cessna 152, N68320, Cotulla, TX, April 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1983, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Cotulla, TX
- Coordinates: 28.430816, -99.230812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4308&lon=-99.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA208

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ON LANDING THE ACFT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN AND ON THE THIRD TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND PICKED UP THE ACFT AND CAUSED IT TO COME DOWN ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68320](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68320-1984-04-02), registration cancelled 1984-04-02, S/N 15282255 (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: 15282255
- Airframe hours: 2677
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Alpha Tango Flying Service
- Registered owner: C.E. Brehm Leasing Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1982, 89 hours before
- Departed: SSF, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: COT, Cotulla Municipal, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830417016239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830417016239A), Apr 17, 1983: Cessna 152, Cotulla, TX, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on a downwind landing. Collapsed the nose gear. Student was on a solo cross country flight.

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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