Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent overstress failure of the nose landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was practicing maneuvers solo in the local flying area. The student pilot reported that, just before touchdown, the stall warning horn sounded briefly and that the airplane landed in a flat, three-point attitude. The nose landing gear (NLG) collapsed, and the airplane started to veer to the right. The student pilot applied left rudder and left brake; however, the airplane veered off the runway into mud and nosed over.
Postaccident examination of the NLG steering rods revealed an overstress separation, likely due to the hard landing. No evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction was revealed that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR16LA076 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 24, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pullman, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Pullman/Moscow Rgnl (PUW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N152LC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.