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WPR20CA222

2020-07-13 · Hayward, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport HWD

Current FAA registration · N530CA

Make / Model
CESSNA 152
Year of manufacture
1977 · 43 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19770615
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6B0A0

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing in gusting wind conditions, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway.

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that the private pilot, who had not flown for a long time, was receiving instruction to become current. After accomplishing flight maneuver training, they returned to the airport for the pilot to practice landings. During the flare for the third landing, with the private pilot on the controls, the left wing was pushed downward and struck the ground when the airplane encountered a wind gust. The pilot subsequently landed and taxied off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing rear spar. The flight instructor added that, if he had positioned his hands on or very near the controls during the landing, the accident could have been prevented. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that the private pilot, who had not flown for a long time, was receiving instruction to become current. After accomplishing flight maneuver training, they returned to the airport for the pilot to practice landings. During the flare for the third landing, with the private pilot on the controls, the left wing was pushed downward and struck the ground when the airplane encountered a wind gust. The pilot subsequently landed and taxied off the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing rear spar. The flight instructor added that, if he had positioned his hands on or very near the controls during the landing, the accident could have been prevented. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.       Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_WPR20CA222.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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