Hard Landing: Cessna 152, N93069; accident occurred September 18, 2019 at Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO), Denton County, Texas

View of damaged engine mount. 

Federal Aviation Administration

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irving, Texas

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N93069

Location: Denton, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA566
Date & Time: 09/18/2019, 1118 CDT
Registration: N93069
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The student pilot reported that, during landing, he flared too high. He added that the airplane sank and landed hard. The airplane bounced multiple times and the nose landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

The safety manager for the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 8 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 18.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/11/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 65.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 65.7 hours (Total, this make and model), 2.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N93069
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility
Serial Number: 15285389
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/05/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1470 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 14378 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235 SERIES
Registered Owner: Us Aviation Group Llc
Rated Power: 110 hp
Operator: Us Aviation Group Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDTO, 642 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1618 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 214°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Denton, TX (DTO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:None 
Destination: Denton, TX (DTO)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0800 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: DENTON ENTERPRISE (DTO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 642 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7002 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.207500, -97.197778 (est)