Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a pilot induced porpoise oscillation and hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On December 5, 2003, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N75816, experienced a hard landing at Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW), Winslow, Arizona. Bulwal Partnership was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The student solo cross-country instructional flight originated from Cottonwood (P52), Arizona, at 0900.
The pilot reported in a written statement that during landing, he touched down on the main landing gear and positioned the yoke into the full aft position. The airplane porpoised, and then landed hard. The damage included a broken nose strut, propeller strike, and a bent firewall.
The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. He felt that the accident could have been prevented if he had applied power after the porpoising began.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX04CA059