Probable cause
The student pilot's high descent rate during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, nose landing gear collapse, and runway excursion during an aborted landing.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and then began to porpoise. The student pilot further reported that he applied power to abort the landing, but the porpoise continued, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway.
The engine mounts were substantially damaged.
The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA211 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 28, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hayward, California
- Nearest airport
- Hayward Executive (HWD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N6427Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.