Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-235C near Omaha, NE — 2020-03-31

Final reportCEN20CA137
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Date
2020-03-31
Location
Omaha, NE, USA
Airport
MLE
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-235C
Registration
N9468W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, subsequent loss of directional control, and the airplane going down an embankment.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, during landing following his third solo cross-country flight, the airplane touched down and then bounced. The right wing dropped, and the right main landing gear touched down, followed by the nose landing gear. The airplane turned hard to the left, but the airplane was too close to the runway edge to turn and remain on the runway, so the student applied maximum braking and raised the nose to try to slow the airplane. The airplane went down an embankment at an angle, the left wing struck the ground and separated from the fuselage, and the nose landing gear bent aft, which bent the engine mounts and buckled the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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