N6926A

On January 30, 1998, approximately 0835 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N6926A, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Laramie, Wyoming. The student pilot, the only occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated approximately 0820.

The following is based on a telephone interview with the pilot, and the written aircraft accident report he submitted. The pilot had made one touch and go landing, and was approaching runway 21 for a second touch and go landing. He flared too high above the ground and added power to cushion the landing. He failed to hold compensating elevator control and the nose pitched up. He applied full power to abort the landing and the nose rose even further. The airplane started "a moderate left turn" and the pilot corrected to parallel the runway, maintaining "a very steep angle of attack." He was able to land the airplane and taxied back to the maintenance hangar. Postaccident inspection disclosed the right wing tip and lower portion of the rudder were damaged.