# NTSB WPR10CA263: Cessna 152, N69254, Merced, CA, May 25, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2010, 12:42 local (19:42 UTC) - Place: Merced, CA - Coordinates: 37.380279, -120.568054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3803&lon=-120.5681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76115/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76115 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was performing his first attempted landing on his second solo flight. He reported that, after touchdown, "the airplane bounced an unknown amount of times" until the propeller struck the runway and the nosegear collapsed. The student pilot stated that "as a result of my lack of experience I was unable to recognize an immediate go-around situation." The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing spars and firewall. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was performing his first attempted landing on his second solo flight. He reported that after touchdown, "the airplane bounced an unknown amount of times" until the propeller struck the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The student pilot stated: "as a result of my lack of experience I was unable to recognize an immediate go-around situation." The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing spars and firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69254](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69254-2012-11-28), registration cancelled 2012-11-28, S/N 15282586, built 1978 (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: 15282586 - Airframe hours: 12341 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: KS Aviation INC. - Registered owner: Ks Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2010 - Departed: KMER, Merced, CA - Destination: KMER, Merced, CA - Airport: KMER, Castle -Merced, runway 31, 11,802 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 39 total, 39 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KMER ## 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 20100525005809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100525005809A), May 25, 2010: Cessna 152, Atwater, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot on 2nd supervised solo tookoff with calm winds. After approx 1 hr of airwork he returned for landing. Tower reported winds at 190/8 for a landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76115. 469 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 433 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Student and Instructor Report (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20and%20Instructor%20Report-Redacted.PDF 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.