# NTSB LAX90LA079: Cessna 152, N24988, Bermuda Dunes, CA, January 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1990, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bermuda Dunes, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710777, -116.229698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7108&lon=-116.2297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA079

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE, AND FAILURE TO AVOID OR CORRECT THE RESULTANT PORPOISE.

## 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)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LANDED HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR AFTER BOUNCING SEVERAL TIMES DURING A SOLO FLIGHT. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER THE THIRD BOUNCE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE. THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24988](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24988-2009-04-15), registration cancelled 2009-04-15, S/N 15280497, built 1977 (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: 15280497
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bermuda Air Service
- Airport: UDO, Bermuda Dunes, runway 28, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900128001179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900128001179A), Jan 28, 1990: Cessna 152, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Came down on nose,collapsed nose gear.

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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