# NTSB IAD98LA008: Cessna 152, N4950A, Lincoln Park, NJ, October 26, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1997, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln Park, NJ
- Location: 40.9476° N, 74.3145° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LINCOLN PARK (N07), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9476&lon=-74.3145&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA008

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper flare during touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent encounter with terrain.

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 01, the airplane bounced three times. She said after the third bounce, the front wheel was uncontrollable, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the ground, and nosed over. According to an FAA Inspector, this was the pilot's fourth solo flight. The pilot reported over 64 hours of total flight time, including 25 hours in make and model. She also reported that the winds were calm, and there was no mechanical malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On October 26, 1997, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N4950A, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard and nosed over at Lincoln Park Airport, Lincoln Park, New Jersey.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The instructional flight originated at Lincoln Park, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 01, the airplane bounced three times.  She said the third time was the hardest, and the nosewheel was uncontrollable.  The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the ground, and nosed over.

An FAA Inspector reported that this was the pilot's fourth solo flight.  The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident, and she had over 63 hours of total flight time in make and model.  She also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - grass
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4950A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4950A), registered now, S/N A1520910 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152) (registry code 2071836) (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: A1520910
- Airframe hours: 1850
- Engines: Lycoming 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jean Aire Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1997, 63 hours before
- Departed: N07
- Airport: N07, Lincoln Park, runway 1, 2,942 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 25 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDW, 5 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 19971026030979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971026030979A), Oct 26, 1997: Lincoln, NE, Substantial damage. Acft porpoised on landing and flipped over Lincoln, NE.

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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