N524ND – CESSNA 172 – 2017-12-02 NTSB Accident Report

On December 02, 2017, a Cessna 172 (N524ND) was involved in an incident near Park Rapids, MN. 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 landing flare, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground.

The director of aviation safety for the flight school reported, the student pilot was on her first solo cross-country flight, and that during the approach to land, the airplane was fast and high. Subsequently, the airplane landed nose low and the propeller struck the ground. The student did not know she had damaged the propeller or fuselage during the landing and continued the rest of her intended flight without further incident.

The next assigned flight crew discovered the damage and an examination by the maintenance department revealed the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The director of aviation safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA085. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N524ND.