# NTSB GAA15CA035: Cessna 152, N179BA, Farmingdale, NJ, April 6, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2015, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Farmingdale, NJ
- Coordinates: 40.298294, -74.520683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2983&lon=-74.5207&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 June 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90996/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90996
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA035

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,287 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated in a document to the Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that he flared too high, the airplane landed hard, and started to porpoise. On the third porpoise the airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. After multiple requests, the pilot did not return the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated in a document to the Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that he flared too high, the airplane landed hard, and started to porpoise. On the third porpoise the airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. After multiple requests, the pilot did not return the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N179BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179BA-2018-06-29), registration cancelled 2018-06-29, S/N 15279715, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES)
- 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: 15279715
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 12224
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 93 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eagles View Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Aviation Dream LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2015
- Departed: BLM, FARMINGDALE, NJ
- Destination: BLM, FARMINGDALE, NJ
- Airport: BLM, Monmouth Executive, runway 14, 7,371 × 85 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 91; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2013; flight hours: 450 total, 168 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: BLM

## 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 20150406003229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150406003229A), Apr 6, 2015: Cessna 152, Farmingdale, NJ, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to land a Cessna 152, N179BA on runway 14 at Monmouth Executive Airport(blm). During the attempt to land, the pilot ballooned the aircraft…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90996. 854 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 548 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of firewall damage (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20firewall%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)%20-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View from front of airplane (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20from%20front%20of%20airplane%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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.

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