N80735

On August 2, 2005, about 1036 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 172M airplane, N80735, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at the Goodwin Field (ELD) near El Dorado, Arkansas The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Stevens Forestry Service, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the training flight. The solo local area flight departed at 1020 from Downtown El Dorado Airport (F43), near El Dorado, Arkansas.

According to a written statement provided by the 34-hour student pilot, while landing on Runway 13, the airplane "bounced and began to porpoise". The student pilot stated that the airplane "porpoised 4 or 5 times, the front landing gear broke and the propeller made contact with the tarmac". The pilot further reported the he was able to steer the airplane off the runway and onto a taxiway by using the rudder.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who traveled to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the engine firewall. The propeller and nose-gear were also damaged.

At 1053 a meteorological aviation report (METAR) for Goodwin Field (ELD), reported the wind variable at 4 knots, 9 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 4000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of Mercury.