# NTSB LAX97LA052: Cessna 152, N6096Q, Redlands, CA, November 23, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1996, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 34.060455, -117.170387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0605&lon=-117.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29690
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29690/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA052

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a subsequent bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The helicopter-rated private pilot was receiving instruction to add an airplane single engine land rating to his license, and had logged 38 hours in fixed wing aircraft.  On his second touch-and-go landing approach he intended to perform a short field landing.  The pilot flared too high causing the airplane to bounce, and then lowered the nose of the aircraft to arrest the bounce.  On the second bounce the aircraft landed hard on the nose wheel, collapsing the nose wheel, and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On November 23, 1996, at 1400 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N6096Q, collapsed the nose wheel and nosed over during landing at Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands, California.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight which departed Redlands at 1300.

The helicopter-rated private pilot reported that he was receiving instruction to add an airplane single engine land rating to his license.  He had received 24 hours of dual instruction and 14 hours of solo flight time in fixed wing aircraft prior to the accident.  After practicing maneuvers in the accident aircraft, he returned to the airport and entered the traffic pattern to practice touch-and-go landings.  On his second landing approach he intended to perform a short field landing; however, his approach was high to runway 26 (4,505 feet long by 75 feet wide).  The pilot flared high, causing the airplane to bounce, and then lowered the nose to arrest the bounce.  On the second bounce the aircraft landed hard on the nose wheel.  The nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft nosed over.  The aircraft came to rest on its back about 2,500 feet from the runway threshold.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6096Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6096Q-2005-05-23), registration cancelled 2005-05-23, S/N 15285124, built 1981 (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: 15285124
- Airframe hours: 7333
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: M. I. Air Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 20, 1996, 50 hours before
- Departed: L12
- Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal, runway 26, 4,505 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 38 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 0NT, 22 nm away

## 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 19961123036309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961123036309A), Nov 23, 1996: Cessna 152, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. Flared high. Bounced. Came down hard and collapsed nose gear. 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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