# NTSB WPR10CA390: Cessna 152, N6165M, Livermore, CA, August 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 7, 2010, 20:57 local (Aug 8, 2010, 03:57 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.689445, -121.818885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6894&lon=-121.8189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA390 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during final approach, resulting in a hard 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 · 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) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross-country flight, he returned to the airport to practice three landings. The first two landings were normal and uneventful. During final approach of the third landing, the airplane encountered a wind shear and, despite the pilot’s control inputs, the airplane entered a nose dive. The airplane impacted the runway and slid about 40 feet, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. The accident airport’s weather observation system reported at the time of the accident wind from 300 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by using higher than normal airspeed in gusty wind conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after an uneventful cross country flight he returned to the airport to practice three landings. The first two landings were normal and uneventful. During final approach of the third landing the airplane encountered “wind shear,” and despite the pilot’s control inputs, the airplane entered a “nose dive.” The airplane impacted the runway and slid about 40 feet, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. The accident airport’s weather observation system reported at the time of the accident wind from 300 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by using “higher than normal” airspeed in gusty wind conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6165M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6165M-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 15284634, 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: 15284634 - Airframe hours: 6993 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ahart Aviation - Registered owner: Ahart Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2010 - Departed: KMER, Merced, CA - Destination: KLVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: KLVK, Livermore Municipal Airport, runway 25R, 5,253 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 53 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KLVK ## 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 20100807042379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100807042379A), Aug 7, 2010: Cessna 152, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying final approach, at touch down lost control and aircraft hit runway nose down very hard. Causing severe damage to firewall, propeller, engine… ## Other investigations on N6165M (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX01LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA069), Jan 5, 2001: Cessna 152 (N6165M), Livermore, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadequate compensation for a tailwind during final approach and her improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76901. 722 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 607 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports (item 2, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-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.