Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate flare and the improper recovery from a bounced landing
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a solo training flight the student pilot allowed the airplane to porpoise. This resulted in the airplane bouncing and on the last touchdown the nose gear collapsed
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 13, 1993, at approximately 1306 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N64949, was substantially damaged following loss of control during landing at Bourland Field near Fort Worth, Texas. The student pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the visual meteorological conditions flight. The airplane was owned and operated by Bourland Aviation of Fort Worth, Texas. The pilot and other witnesses reported that the airplane began to porpoise during the landing. They reported that the airplane bounced at least two times. The last landing resulted in the nose gear collapsing. A review of the pilot's training records indicated he had been signed off for solo flight approximately two flight hours prior to the accident. -