# NTSB LAX96LA109: Cessna 152, N6321M, San Jose, CA, February 9, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 9, 1996, 15:34 local (23:34 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.32904, -121.769554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3290&lon=-121.7696&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, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29373/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA109 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper use of the rudder control and resultant failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout. Factors relating to the accident were: the student allowed the airspeed to be excessive during the approach/landing, and the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that when he turned onto final approach to land, the airplane was high. He took corrective action by lowering the nose to make a steeper approach. This resulted in increased airspeed. During touchdown, the airplane was left of the runway centerline. The student reported that right rudder was applied, and the airplane veered right; then left rudder was applied, but the airplane veered too far left and entered a grassy field. Subsequently, the nose gear sank into soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 1996, at 1534 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N6321M, operated by Wings Over California, nosed over upon landing on runway 31L at the Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport, San Jose, California. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured during the solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from San Jose at 1510. The operator verbally reported that at the time of the accident, the student pilot was practicing landings and lost directional control. The operator also reported that the student pilot had approximately 19 hours of total flying experience which included about 3 hours of solo flight time. The student pilot reported that when he turned onto final approach he was "a little bit high," so he pitched down "to make a steeper approach." This action increased the airspeed to about 70 knots. During touchdown, the longitudinal axis of the airplane was oriented left of the runway's centerline. The student pilot further reported that "there was no time to correct" the situation. The right rudder was applied, and the airplane veered right. Then, the left rudder was applied and the airplane veered too far left and entered a grassy field. After rolling about 100 feet, the nose gear sunk into the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. He report no mechanical problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6321M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6321M), registered now, S/N 15284671, 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: 15284671 - Airframe hours: 8460 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wings Over California - Registered owner: Kevin Conley & Daryl Vorne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: RHV - Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 31L, 3,099 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RHV ## 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 19960209044289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960209044289A), Feb 9, 1996: Cessna 152, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Narrative: on February 9, 1996, at 1534 PST a Cessna 152 operated by wings over California, and piloted by student pilot yoshihisa nagata, was involved in a… ## Other investigations on N6321M (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 LAX84LA438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA438), Aug 12, 1984: Cessna 152 (N6321M), Cressey, CA, substantial damage 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.