Probable cause
The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during the student pilot’s miscalculated landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and the nose landing gear collapsing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that she and the student pilot were on an instructional flight and planned to stay in the airport traffic pattern. As the student flew the airplane and set the airplane up for the first landing, the airplane was high on final approach. The student decreased the power and the descent rate increased. When the airplane was over the runway, the student completely reduced the power and began to flare. The airplane landed hard on the runway and then bounced. The flight instructor intended to perform a go-around but then the nose landing gear collapsed. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the tunnel structure aft of the engine and firewall. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA229 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 16, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Carbondale, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Southern Illinois (MDH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N191FS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1984
- 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.