Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near York, PA — 2009-04-13

Final reportERA09CA404
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Date
2009-04-13
Location
York, PA, USA
Airport
THV
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N144ME
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the student pilot, the first landing attempt of the solo cross country flight resulted in a go-around. During his second attempt, the student pilot landed the airplane about one-third of the way down the 5,188-foot runway, "hard but smooth (not a bounce);" however, the airplane subsequently became airborne. The student pilot landed the airplane once more, and although he believed the “plane had safely and completely landed,” it became airborne yet again. At that point, the student pilot felt a go-around was not possible, and "pulled back" on the flight controls. The airplane then "probably stalled and dropped to the runway," the nose landing gear collapsed, and damage to the engine firewall and left wing resulted. Winds at the time were variable at 4 knots. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were noted by the student pilot.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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