# NTSB SEA95LA042: Cessna 152, N6605P, Seattle, WA, January 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1995, 12:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.540046, -122.310111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5400&lon=-122.3101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING THE FLARE.  A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE AIRPLANE WITH A FIVE TO TEN KNOT TAILWIND. THE PILOT DID NOT FLARE THE AIRPLANE BEFORE TOUCH DOWN AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED FLAT. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1995, at 1220 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N6605P, was landed flat and the nose gear collapsed at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local solo instructional flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch and go landings.  The pilot stated that the weather was rough and the first attempted landing resulted in a go-around.  During the second attempt to land with a tailwind, the airplane's attitude was flat.  The pilot stated that when she thought she should flare, she heard a noise and realized that it was the propeller hitting the runway.  The nose of the airplane came up, then down and the nose gear collapsed.

The pilot was landing on runway 13L, and the winds were reported from 320 to 330 degrees at five to ten knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6605P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6605P), registered now, S/N 15285037, 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: 15285037
- Airframe hours: 7335
- 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, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 29, 1994, 82 hours before
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 13L, 3,710 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 72 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19950122000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950122000699A), Jan 22, 1995: Cessna 152, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Second try on downwind landing. Failed to flare unknown until prop hit runway. Came down flat. Collapsed nose gear.

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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