# NTSB LAX94LA052: Cessna 152, N5312L, Compton, CA, November 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1993, 11:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.870544, -118.240005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8705&lon=-118.2400&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 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA052

## Probable cause

were the noncertificated student pilot's misjudged flare altitude, improper recovery from a bounced landing, and improper use of the left brake.  The student pilot's lack of total experience and panic were factors in this accident.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - panic, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WAS COMPLETING HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO LANDING.  ON TOUCH DOWN, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED.  THE STUDENT PILOT PANICKED AND, INADVERTENTLY, DEPRESSED THE LEFT BRAKE.  THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR AND MOTOR HOME.

## Factual narrative

On November 19, 1993, at 1123 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N5312L, lost control, exited runway 25L, and collided with a ground vehicle and hangar at Compton Airport, Compton, California.  The noncertificated student pilot was completing the first landing of his first supervised solo flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Consolidated Aviation, dba Compton Aviation, sustained substantial damage.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated as a dual instructional flight at 1045 hours.

The student pilot's flight instructor (CFI) told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that he was standing in front of Compton Aviation's office facilities observing the student's takeoff and landing.  The flight instructor had flown with the student about a half hour before allowing the student to solo.  The instruction preceding the accident consisted of seven (7) full-stop takeoffs and landings.  During this time, the CFI reported that the student's takeoffs and landings were better than average.

The CFI said that the student's takeoff and traffic pattern was normal.  While on final approach, the airplane's airspeed, however, was  "...slightly  fast...."  The student flared the airplane at its normal flare altitude and the airplane landed on its main wheels first, followed by the nose wheel.  The airplane touched down about 300 feet beyond the runway threshold (about 1,300 feet beyond the approach end of the runway), and bounced no more than one foot.  Other taxiing airplanes blocked his view so he did not see the landing roll-out.  Moments later, he observed several people running toward the hangars south of the runway.

The student pilot told Safety Board investigators, with the assistance of an interpreter, that his final approach speed was above 60 knots.  The airplane bounced on touch down and he  panicked and, inadvertently, depressed the left brake.  The airplane exited the runway to the left, crossed the dirt area, and entered the taxiway and parking apron.  The airplane's left wing struck a parked motorhome, turned left 180 degrees, and the right wing simultaneously struck a hangar and nosed into the ground.

The student pilot also said that the airplane did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures.

Safety Board investigators examined the student pilot's flight hours logbook.  The logbook showed that as of the accident flight the student had accrued 17.9 hours of dual instruction.  All of the flights were flown in the accident airplane make and model.  The CFI had endorsed the student pilot's certificate and flight logbook according to current applicable federal air regulations.

Safety Board investigators examined the wreckage on November 19, 1993.  The wreckage examination revealed that both wings outer panels sustained extensive rearward crushing.  The rear spar, at its wing-to-fuselage attach fittings, was also damaged.  Both wing flaps were found fully extended.

The cockpit wing flap control lever was found in the 30-degrees (full down) position.  The carburetor heat control was selected to on position.

Safety Board investigators conducted a visual examination and an operational check of the brake system.  Both brakes operated normally and their respective brake pads/rotor disks exhibited normal wear patterns.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5312L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5312L-2013-04-08), registration cancelled 2013-04-08, S/N 15284294, built 1980 (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: 15284294
- Airframe hours: 17221
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Consolidated Aviation, doing business as Compton Aviation
- Registered owner: Consolidated Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1993, 30 hours before
- Departed: CPM
- Airport: CPM, Compton Airport, runway 25L, 3,670 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 1 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: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19931119043999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931119043999A), Nov 19, 1993: Cessna 152, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. On first solo bounced paincked lost control. Veered off runway struck a motorhome and a hangar.

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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