Primary finding
Probable cause
the student pilot's improper level off during landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot stated he rounded out high, landed hard, bounced about 5 feet in the air, and then the airplane collided with the ground in a nose down attitude. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 16, 1996, about 0855 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N6600H, registered to OCAV Inc; operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on landing at the Orlando Country Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from the Orlando Country Airport about 10 minutes before the accident. The student pilot stated he rounded out high, landed hard, bounced about 5 feet in the air, and the airplane collided with the ground in a nose down attitude. The airplane veered to the left, off the left side of the runway into the grass, nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by maintenance personnel revealed nose wheel damage consistent with a hard landing, blowing the nose wheel tire, and fracturing the wheel rim and hub. Personnel from Orlando Country Aviation inc., stated the student pilot would not cooperate in assisting them in completing the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. -