# NTSB LAX84LA264: Cessna 152, N48201, Palo Alto, CA, April 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1984, 16:45 local (Apr 22, 1984, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450962, -122.099624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4510&lon=-122.0996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT MADE A HARD BOUNCING LANDING WHICH BROKE THE NOSE GEAR. THE FAA INSPECTOR SAID NEITHER THE FLYING CLUB NOR THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR HAD AUTHORIZED THE FLT. THE STUDENT SAID HE RECEIVED A SLIGHT CONCUSSION & COULD NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48201](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48201-2017-05-25), registration cancelled 2017-05-25, S/N 15283300, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- 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: 8300
- Airframe hours: 2740
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Meadows
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 20, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: PAO
- Airport: Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840421022879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840421022879A), Apr 21, 1984: Cessna 152, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot made hard landing causing nose wheel to break off.

## Other investigations on N48201 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX99LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA034), Nov 19, 1998: Cessna 152 (N48201), Orinda, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight, during which he neglected to note the contamination, and the dark night which made it…

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.