# NTSB NYC96LA164: Cessna 152, N5431Q, Worcester, MA, August 10, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1996, 14:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: Worcester, MA
- Location: 42.2626° N, 71.8023° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Worcester, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2626&lon=-71.8023&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA164

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane,  which resulted in a nose over.  His improper flare was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - aborted

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was on the fourth touch-and-go landing, when the airplane bounced during touchdown. He reduced engine power in an attempt to recover. The pilot reported that during his attempt to stop the bounce, the plane nosed forward as he attempted to go around. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest in grass adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 1996 about 1530 eastern daylight time, N54310Q, a Cessna 152, a training flight, nosed over during an aborted landing on runway 29 at Worcester Municipal Airport, Worcester, Massachusetts.  Visual meteorological conditions existed.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.   The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he was on the fourth touch and go landing when the airplane bounced during touch down, and he reduced engine power in an attempt to recover.   According to the pilot: "During my attempt to stop the bounce, the plane nosed forward on my attempt at a go around."  The aircraft came to rest in grass adjacent to the runway.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5431Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5431Q-1996-11-06), registration cancelled 1996-11-06, S/N 15285110 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285110
- Airframe hours: 8396
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Sumner
- Registered owner: John Capuano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1996, 47 hours before
- Departed: ORC
- Airport: ORC, Worcester Municipal, runway 29, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORC

## 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 19960810022329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960810022329A), Aug 10, 1996: Cessna 152, Worcester, MA, Substantial damage. Bounced porpoised and nosed over during an attempt to go around.

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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