Summary
On March 29, 2018, a Cessna 172 (N803BW) was involved in an incident near New Bedford, MA. 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 failure to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, as he flared for landing, the airplane "hit" the runway hard. He added that, the airplane porpoised about 7 or 8 times before settling on the runway. He then taxied the airplane to the parking ramp with no further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The chief flight instructor 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 GAA18CA199. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N803BW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, as he flared for landing, the airplane "hit" the runway hard. He added that, the airplane porpoised about 7 or 8 times before settling on the runway. He then taxied the airplane to the parking ramp with no further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The chief flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane 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# GAA18CA199