N356ES

On June 21, 2004, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N356ES, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Hartford-Brainard Airport, Hartford, Connecticut. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91.

The student pilot stated that she was on a solo flight, practicing crosswind landings during gusty conditions. While landing, as the student pilot flared the airplane, a sudden loss of headwind was encountered, and the airspeed began to decay. The student pilot added power in an attempt to go-around, but the airplane continued to descend towards the runway. The airplane touched down hard, bounced into the air, and the pilot proceeded to go-around. The subsequent approach and landing were uneventful.

In addition, the pilot stated that she did not experience any malfunctions with the engine or the airframe prior to the accident.

A weather observation taken at the Hartford-Brainard Airport, at 1153, reported winds from 260 degrees at 11 knots with 15 knot gusts, visibility 10 statute miles, sky conditions clear, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 41 degrees Fahrenheit and altimeter setting 29.96 inches of Hg.