# NTSB FTW94LA127: Cessna 152, N6315M, College Station, TX, April 16, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1994, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: College Station, TX
- Coordinates: 30.559654, -96.269241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5597&lon=-96.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA127

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER LANDING, ABRUPT LOWERING OF THE NOSE GEAR. A FACTOR WAS THE LANDING AIRSPEED EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vref) - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - distorted
  - fuselage,bulkhead - distorted

## Analysis

DURING LANDING THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT 65 MILES PER HOUR AND IN A CRAB.  THE PILOT PREMATURELY LOWERED THE NOSE GEAR RESULTING IN A BLOWN TIRE, BENT NOSE GEAR, AND BUCKLED FIRE WALL.

## Factual narrative

On April 16, 1994, at 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6315M, was substantially damaged during landing near College Station, Texas.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local area flight.

The pilot stated in the pilot/operator report that during landing he touched down on the main landing gear with zero flaps and "somewhat sideways."  He further reported that his speed was approximately 65 miles per hour.  The manufacturer states that landing can be performed at 37.5 to 43.4 miles per hour with flaps up.  According to the pilot after touchdown on the main landing gear he prematurely lowered the nose gear to the ground and blew the tire.

An examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose landing gear and the firewall was damaged.

The aircraft was released to the owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6315M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152284667
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tamu Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CLL, Easterwood, runway 16, 7,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 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 19940416014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940416014559A), Apr 16, 1994: Cessna 152, College Station, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot made a hard landing. Nose gear was bent.

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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