NTSB Factual Report

On April 7, 2003, approximately 1520 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N116SS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Eaker Field Airport (DUA) near Durant, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Southeastern University of Durant. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local supervised solo flight originated at DUA approximately 1415, as a dual instructional flight.

According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), after the student pilot demonstrated three normal takeoff and landings, a simulated engine failure, and go-around procedures, he released him for his first solo flight. Before exiting the airplane, he checked the wind. The wind was "350 degrees at 12 knots." The CFI then went to an area where he could observe the student's final approaches, landings, and takeoffs.

The student taxied the airplane to runway 35 and after completing run-up checks, taxied the airplane onto runway 35 and took off. The ensuing approach and landing "appeared to be non-eventful and completed properly." The 17-hour student pilot exited the runway and taxied the airplane back to runway 35 for another takeoff and landing. During the second landing, the airplane bounced, and then bounced again to a height of 20-30 feet. The nose of the airplane dropped, and the airplane impacted the runway on its nose landing gear bending it aft. The airplane came to a stop upright on the runway.

An examination of the airplane, by the operator and an FAA inspector, revealed that the propeller and left wing tip were damaged, and both the left and right side fuselage skin aft of the firewall was wrinkled.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and his improper recovery procedures for a bounced landing.