Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the pilot's misjudging the flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. The airplane was observed to bounce from a hard landing and then impact on the nose landing gear. The pilot said she had received instruction subsequent to a previous landing accident. She indicated that she was practicing solo landings in preparation for a re-examination for her pilot certificate when this accident occurred.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 12, 1996, at 1236 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N55161, registered to the Stick and Rudder Club, Inc., received substantial damage during a bounced landing. The private pilot was practicing landings on runway 32 (3,751' x 75' dry/concrete). The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at 1232. The pilot said that she was practicing takeoffs and landings in preparation for a re-exam for her certificate due to a previous landing accident. She said she had received additional training after the accident and was practicing solo at the time this accident occurred. She was unable to elaborate on the exact details of the current accident. An air traffic controller in the tower said that he observed the airplane bounce from a hard landing. The nose landing gear then impacted the terrain. -