Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate flare resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot completed three takeoffs and landing with the certified flight instructor (CFI) on board, then took off for his first solo flight in the pattern. During the first landing, the airplane bounced twice and on the third touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. The student pilot was not injured, but the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. There were no reports of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA379 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 1, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Santa Rosa, California
- Nearest airport
- Santa Rosa (STS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N67367
- 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.