# NTSB GAA19CA556: Cessna 152, N472TC, Naples, FL, September 17, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2019, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Naples, FL - Coordinates: 26.149999, -81.77861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1500&lon=-81.7786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100293 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA556 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100293/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100293 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA556 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing and a nose landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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: 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) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, while on approach to land, the airplane suddenly sank. She added power, but the airplane bounced. She added more power, but the airplane bounced again, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight school's chief executive officer reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, during approach to land, the airplane suddenly sank. She added power, but the airplane bounced. She added more power, but the airplane bounced again and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The chief executive officer for the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 030° at 4 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 020° at 6 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 05. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N472TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N472TC-2024-02-29), registration cancelled 2024-02-29, S/N 15279792, 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: 15279792 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5437.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Florida Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Florida Flight Training Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 2019 - Departed: VNC, Venice, FL - Destination: APF, Naples, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: APF, Naples Muni, runway 05, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 49.9 total, 49.9 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 49.9 in the last 90 days, 28.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KAPF ## 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 20190917013379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190917013379A), Sep 17, 2019: Cessna 152, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed and airplane experienced prop strike upon student pilot attempting to land on rwy 5. Airplane sank before touch down and the student pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100293. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.