Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that the accident occurred during the flight's first touch-and-go landing. The pilot stated that the landing approach was normal, but on touchdown the airplane bounced and then touched down again on the left side of the runway. The airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot said, "I should have either maintained directional control or done a go-around."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA200 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 24, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Fort Wayne International (FWA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N94626
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.