NTSB Factual Report

On August 3, 2004, about 1158 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N218JA, registered to and operated by Jones Flying Service, Inc., experienced a loss of control while landing at the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight from the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 1150, from the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.

The student pilot stated that on the day of the accident prior to the accident flight, she flew with her flight instructor on two separate flights. During both, she performed touch-and-go landings. Following the second flight, her instructor exited the airplane, and the flight departed and remained in the traffic pattern where she performed one touch-and-go landing. The flight remained in the traffic pattern and during the second touch-and-go landing, the airplane touched down and bounced two times. After the second bounce she reduced power and lowered the nose but the airplane then bounced again. Following the third bounce, she heard the stall warning horn and the "nose dropped." She then heard the propeller contacting the runway.

The student's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported the student's first approach was similar to the landings she had performed when he was in the airplane, and the approach for the second landing appeared good. He noted the flare was good and for some reason, the airplane bounced two times then touched down collapsing the nose landing gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's incorrect recovery following a bounced landing resulting in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.