Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Grand Forks, ND — 2009-10-20

Final reportCEN10CA025
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Date
2009-10-20
Location
Grand Forks, ND, USA
Airport
KGFK
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N519ND
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The accident occurred during the student pilot's second landing on his first solo flight. He stated that the airplane was on a stabilized approach as it crossed over the runway threshold at 63 knots. He reduced engine power and began to flare as the airplane was abeam the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system. He reported that the landing flare was "somewhat short" and that the airplane landed hard on its main landing gear. He reduced his back pressure on the control yoke and the nose wheel contacted the runway. The airplane then bounced several times, alternating between the nose and main landing gear, before stabilizing on a landing rollout. A postaccident inspection of the aircraft revealed the lower engine firewall and forward floorboards were substantially deformed. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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