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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 7, 2003 · Cessna 152 · N4725B

Franklin, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Franklin, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4725B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03CA192

The student pilot was landing on a 4,977-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He stated that everything appeared to progress normally until the point of the flare. At that time, the airplane ballooned and he pushed the nose of the airplane down. The nose wheel struck the runway and collapsed. The student pilot further stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He added that the windsock registered little, if any wind.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2003, about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4725B, was substantially damaged while landing at the Franklin Municipal Airport (FKN), Franklin, Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Chesterfield County Airport (FCI), Richmond, Virginia. The solo instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot stated that he was landing on runway 9, a 4,977-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He further stated: "...Everything appeared to progress normally until the point of the flare. The aircraft ballooned at which time I intended to relieved the backpressure to control the balloon. It would appear that I over corrected for the ballooning and pushed the nose of the aircraft down somewhat. The nose wheel hit the runway harder than it could tolerate and collapsed. At that time, the front of the aircraft hit the runway and the aircraft skidded to a stop...." The student pilot said he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He added that the windsock registered little, if any wind. The student pilot reported 53 hours of total flight experience, which included about 7 hours as pilot-in-command,

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EDT
Nearest AirportFranklin Muni-John Beverly Ros (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length4977 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4725B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data