NTSB Factual Report

On November 6, 2004, at 1320 eastern daylight time, N49196, a Cessna 152, registered to and operated by Air Care, Inc., flipped collided with runway 22 during an attempted landing at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The solo instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules (VFR). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The student pilot was not injures and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Fayetteville Regional Airport, Fayetteville, North Carolina, on November 6, 2004, at 1230.

According to the pilot, he had flown to three airports that day, and was completing the long solo cross country requirement for his private pilot training. He stated that all flights that day "went as planned." He stated that upon returning to Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport, the wind was from 030 at 4 knots, and he decided to land on runway 22. He stated as the airplane touched down, a gust of wind caught the front of the airplane. He stated that he tried to maintain directional control of the airplane, but it started "hopping." He stated that the nose wheel separated from the nose landing gear strut, and the propeller struck the runway surface. The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted on the left side of the runway centerline.

The post accident examination of the airplane revealed the nose landing gear wheel separated from the strut and the engine mounts are separated from the firewall. The upper skin of the wings is buckled and the fuselage is twisted. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers is buckled. No mechanical anomalies were observed.

The pilot stated that this accident may have been prevented if he made a "missed approach" with full power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, and improper recovery from a bounced landing.