Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Wilmington, DE — 2020-09-07

Final reportERA20CA318
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Date
2020-09-07
Location
Wilmington, DE, USA
Airport
ILG
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N19813
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot was conducting his first solo cross country flight. During the landing flare at the destination airport, he reduced engine power, and the airplane touched down “firmly” then bounced back into the air. It bounced 3 to 4 more times before it came to rest on the runway. The pilot also stated that “each bounce and touch down were worse …. than the previous.” Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to a hangar and egressed without issue. After the accident, an examination of the airframe found that the fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact 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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