# NTSB LAX94LA291: Cessna 152, N5351L, Livermore, CA, July 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1994, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679809, -121.749504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6798&lon=-121.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA291

## Probable cause

the student's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.

## 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)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE ENDORSED THE STUDENT FOR SOLO FLYING. HE THEN PROCEEDED INTO THE CONTROL TOWER TO WATCH THE FIRST SOLO FLIGHT. THE STUDENT TOOK OFF AND LANDED TWO TIMES WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON THE THIRD LANDING, THE AIRPLANE WAS FLARED TOO HIGH. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND PORPOISED ON THE RUNWAY BUCKLING THE AIRPLANE'S FIREWALL.

## Factual narrative

On July 12, 1994, at 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5351L, operated by Ahart Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California.  The student pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from the Livermore Airport at 1550.

The student pilot's flight instructor observed the accident.  In summary, he reported that after the student had successfully performed five landings, he endorsed her student certificate for solo.  He then proceeded into the control tower to observe the flight.  The student's first two landings were uneventful.  During the third landing, the student flared high and the airplane bounced and porpoised on the runway.  The airplane's firewall was examined and was found buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5351L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5351L), registered now, S/N 15284298, 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: 15284298
- Airframe hours: 8273
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ahart Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ahart Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1994, 96 hours before
- Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal, runway 25R, 5,255 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Observed at: LVK

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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