Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150L near Gantt, SC — 2026-01-28

Final reportERA26LA104
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Date
2026-01-28
Location
Gantt, SC, USA
Airport
GYH
Aircraft
CESSNA 150L
Registration
N67WJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a nose landing gear collapse.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that after arriving at the destination airport while on a solo cross-country flight, she elected to perform airport traffic pattern work with some touch-and-go landings. The first landing went well, and the pilot took off again for a second attempt. The second approach was stable throughout; the airspeed was good and it was smooth, but after arriving over the threshold, she reduced engine power but flared late, which did not arrest the descent in time. The airplane struck the runway and bounced. During the second bounce the airplane landed hard, and the nose landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the firewall and airframe. The pilot agreed that there were no preimpact malfunctions or failures of the airplane that precluded normal operation. The pilot further stated she just “rounded out late,” and thought it was too late to abort the landing.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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