Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA13CA371

Manassas, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N740SP

CESSNA 172S

Analysis

According to the student pilot, he was fast on the approach and touched down on the main landing gear, bounced, then released back pressure on the yoke. The airplane started to porpoise uncontrollably and the nose landing gear broke off. The airplane departed the runway to the right and came to rest inverted in the grass. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, vertical stabilizer, and to the rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the student pilot, he was fast on the approach and touched down on the main landing gear, bounced, then released back pressure on the yoke. The airplane started to porpoise uncontrollably and the nose landing gear broke off. The airplane departed the runway to the right and came to rest inverted in the grass. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, vertical stabilizer, and to the rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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