Pilot Debrief

CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162 near Chehalis, WA — 2026-03-22

Final reportWPR26LA136
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Date
2026-03-22
Location
Chehalis, WA, USA
Airport
CLS
Aircraft
CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162
Registration
N163TW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a tail strike.

NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to complete her solo cross county requirement for a private pilot certificate. During landing, she maneuvered the airplane into a flare and it contacted the runway surface hard. The airplane bounced and became airborne again. The pilot elected to continue the landing attempt instead of performing a go-around and added power while maneuvering the airplane in a nose-low attitude. The propeller and nose landing gear impacted the runway surface and the airplane then pitched up, which resulted in a tail strike and substantial damage to the rudder. 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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