Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper flare during touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent encounter with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 01, the airplane bounced three times. She said after the third bounce, the front wheel was uncontrollable, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the ground, and nosed over. According to an FAA Inspector, this was the pilot's fourth solo flight. The pilot reported over 64 hours of total flight time, including 25 hours in make and model. She also reported that the winds were calm, and there was no mechanical malfunction.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 26, 1997, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N4950A, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard and nosed over at Lincoln Park Airport, Lincoln Park, New Jersey. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The instructional flight originated at Lincoln Park, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during touchdown on runway 01, the airplane bounced three times. She said the third time was the hardest, and the nosewheel was uncontrollable. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck the ground, and nosed over. An FAA Inspector reported that this was the pilot's fourth solo flight. The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident, and she had over 63 hours of total flight time in make and model. She also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. -