Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. The student pilot stated that during the porpoise oscillation, the airplane landed on its nosewheel. Postaccident examination revealed that the engine firewall was bent. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA032 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 29, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Long Beach, California
- Nearest airport
- Long Beach Airport (Daugherty) (LGB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N48340
- 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.