# NTSB WPR13CA130: Cessna 152, N89956, Kelso, WA, February 19, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 19, 2013, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Kelso, WA - Coordinates: 46.117778, -122.89833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1178&lon=-122.8983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86267/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86267 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA130 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate landing flare and lack of remedial actions, which resulted in a hard bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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) - [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) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · 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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he reduced engine power while on final approach and that the airplane developed a higher sink rate than expected. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced three to four times, collapsing the nose landing gear and substantially damaging the firewall. The student pilot stated that he did not attempt to go around. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that he reduced engine power while on final approach, and the airplane developed a higher sink rate than expected. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced 3 to 4 times, breaking the nose landing gear, and substantially damaging the firewall. The student pilot reported that he did not attempt to correct the situation or to go-around and, that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89956](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89956-2014-04-16), registration cancelled 2014-04-16, S/N 15282927, 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: 15282927 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hillsboro Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Hillsboro Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DLS, The Dalles, OR - Destination: KLS, Kelso, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KLS, Southwest Washington Regional, runway 12, 4,391 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KLS ## 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 20130219002459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130219002459A), Feb 19, 2013: Cessna 152, Kelso, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot reports that the airplane developed high sink rate after a power reduction and then experienced a hard landing bouncing 3-4 times. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86267. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 929 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.