# NTSB SEA94LA032: Cessna 152, N5366M, Seattle, WA, November 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1993, 15:32 local (23:32 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.540702, -122.310577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5407&lon=-122.3106&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 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA032

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO FLARE. HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION WAS A FACTOR.

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING YAW CONTROL AND FAILED TO FLARE DURING HIS FIRST SOLO LANDING ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY ON THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHICH COLLAPSED.

## Factual narrative

On November 14, 1993, at 1532 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N5366M, operated by Galvin Flying Service, impacted terrain while landing at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington.  There was no flight plan filed for the local student training flight, conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions, that took off at 1525.  The student pilot was not injured in the accident.  The aircraft was substantially damaged.  There was no fire.      The student's instructor reported the student was on his first solo flight, intended for traffic pattern work to practice takeoff and landings.  He said that on the first approach for landing, the student appeared to have difficulty in controlling aircraft yaw and failed to flare before touchdown.  The aircraft impacted the runway on the nose landing gear, which collapsed, substantially damaging the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5366M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5366M), registered now, S/N 15284566, 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: 15284506
- Airframe hours: 7493
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Galvin Flying Service
- Registered owner: Galvin Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1993, 2 hours before
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 13, 3,710 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19931114042699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931114042699A), Nov 14, 1993: Cessna 152, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. On first solo flight failed to flare. Hit nose gear first. Nose gear collapsed.

## Other investigations on N5366M (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA96LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA028), Dec 12, 1995: Cessna 152 (N5366M), Chimacum, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot-in-command's delayed application of carburetor heat which resulted in a power loss due to carburetor ice. Carburetor icing conditions, a short takeoff area, and a ditch at the end of the…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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