# NTSB LAX88LA270: Cessna 152, N68342, Bakersfield, CA, July 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1988, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.539756, -118.910881 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5398&lon=-118.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA270

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT DRG A LNDG ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, HIS FINAL APCH WAS A LITTLE FAST. DRG THE LNDG, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE. HOWEVER, BEFORE THE STUDENT REGAINED CONTROL, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68342](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68342), registered now, S/N 15282269, built 1978 (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: 15282269
- Airframe hours: 3205
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Security Aviation
- Registered owner: M&S Air Supply Inc. DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1988, 55 hours before
- Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA
- Destination: L45
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield, runway 31, 3,150 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 56 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 6 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 19880725027919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880725027919A), Jul 25, 1988: Cessna 152, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Student bounced and porpoised on landing until the nose gear collapsed. Lacked proper training and supervision.

## Other investigations on N68342 (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 LAX92LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA226), Jun 1, 1992: Cessna 152 (N68342), Delano, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR GUSTING CROSS WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

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.