# NTSB LAX90LA194: Cessna 152, N68271, Atwater, CA, May 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1990, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Atwater, CA
- Coordinates: 37.320793, -120.629791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3208&lon=-120.6298&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): 26820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FLARED THE AIRPLANE TOO HIGH AND IMPROPERLY RECOVERED FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE NORMAL BRAKES AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN WITH HER INSTRUCTOR FOR 36 MINUTES, PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, BEFORE DEPARTING ON HER SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. ON THE FIRST LANDING, THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE HARD CAUSING IT TO BOUNCE. THE AIRPLANE THEN BEGAN TO PORPOISE. ON THE THIRD TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WHEEL CONTACTED THE LEFT SOFT SHOULDER OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68271 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282221
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Central Valley Skyway
- Airport: O01, Atwater, runway 12, 2,470 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900530017839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900530017839A), May 30, 1990: Cessna 152, Atwater, CA, Substantial damage. On second supervised solo got a wheel off side of runway, applied brakes and aircraft nosed over.

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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