CESSNA 152

Livermore, CA — August 8, 2010

Event Information

DateAugust 8, 2010
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberWPR10CA390
Event ID20100809X52829
LocationLivermore, CA
CountryUSA
Coordinates37.68945, -121.81889
AirportLivermore Municipal Airport
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model152
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None2
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during final approach, resulting in a hard landing.

Full 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.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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