Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique. Factors were his failure to execute a go-around, his improper landing flare, and the other pilot's premature taxiing onto the runway for takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the solo student pilot, he landed hard and porpoised three times during an attempt to land short behind another airplane that took the active runway while he was on short final. The pilot stated that he elected not to execute a go-around because of obstructions on both sides of the runway. The airplane was 200 feet above ground level at 70 knots when the other airplane taxied onto the runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 11, 1995, at 1420 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N89359, was substantially damaged while landing near New Roads, Louisiana. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight. The student pilot reported on his enclosed statement that he was on short final, 200 feet and 70 knots, for runway 18, when another aircraft taxied onto the uncontrolled field runway for takeoff at an intersection 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The status of communication on the Common Traffic Advisor Frequency was unknown. The student pilot stated that he was unable to execute a go-around due to obstructions on both sides of the runway. The pilot chose to land behind the airplane that had started its takeoff roll. According to student pilot, the airplane landed hard, porpoised three times collapsing the nose landing gear. The airplane departed the runway, and the right wing impacted the ground resulting in structural damage. -