# NTSB GAA16CA211: Cessna 152, N6427Q, Hayward, CA, April 28, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 28, 2016, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.658889, -122.122779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6589&lon=-122.1228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93093/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93093
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA211

## Probable cause

The student pilot's high descent rate during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, nose landing gear collapse, and runway excursion during an aborted 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, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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); 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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and then began to porpoise. The student pilot further reported that he applied power to abort the landing, but the porpoise continued, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The engine mounts were substantially damaged. The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and then began to porpoise. The student pilot further reported that he applied power to abort the landing, but the porpoise continued, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The engine mounts were substantially damaged. The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6427Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6427Q), registered now, S/N 15285250, built 1981 (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: 15285250
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 7103.1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: San Carlos Flight Center Inc., doing business as San Carlos Flight Center
- Registered owner: Aviation Capital Management LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 2016
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Airport: HWD, Hayward Executive, runway 28L, 5,694 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 31; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 100 total, 85 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KHWD

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93093. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440773&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 659 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%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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