Summary
On November 24, 2015, a Cessna 172 (N52632) was involved in an incident near Gaithersburg, MD. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's improper flare during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a runway excursion.
The student pilot reported that during the second landing of his second solo flight, he flared too high above the runway. He reported that the airplane touched down, bounced twice, exited the runway to the left, bounced once in the grass and came to rest in the safety area between the runway and taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA064. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N52632.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's improper flare during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a runway excursion.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that during the second landing of his second solo flight, he flared too high above the runway. He reported that the airplane touched down, bounced twice, exited the runway to the left, bounced once in the grass and came to rest in the safety area between the runway and taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA064