View of damaged engine mount and truss.
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Lafayette, IN
Accident Number: GAA19CA571
Date & Time: 09/25/2019, 1710 EDT
Registration: N6450B
Aircraft: Cessna 152
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
The student solo pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown, the airplane landed ballooned and bounced twice. Subsequently, the airplane pitched down, the nose landing gear struck the runway and collapsed on the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine frame.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 230° at 8 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The pilot reported that during landing, the winds were 230° at 9 knots, gusting 16 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 23.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 20, Female
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 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/01/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/25/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 33 hours (Total, all aircraft), 33 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N6450B
Model/Series: 152 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 15283935
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1669 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-235
Registered Owner: Purdue Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 108 hp
Operator: Purdue Aviation 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: KLAF, 637 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2054 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 191°
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: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 17°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Lafayette, IN (LAF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Lafayette, IN (LAF)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1600 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Purdue University (LAF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 605 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 28
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6600 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
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: 40.412222, -86.936944 (est)
