Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to conduct a go-around, which resulted in a bounced landing and the nosewheel collapsing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, while conducting her first solo flight, the airplane bounced on landing, and the stall horn sounded. The airplane bounced three more times before the nosewheel collapsed, and the left wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to an engine mount and the left wing. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. She said the accident could have been prevented if she had executed a go-around.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA115 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 28, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tampa, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Tampa Executive (VDF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N25474
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- 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.