GAA16CA523

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced and that she then pulled the yoke to the farthest aft position. She further reported that the airplane porpoised and that she applied the brakes; however, she "could not press the right brake fully". Subsequently ,the airplane veered to the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination by a local mechanic revealed substantial damage to the yoke, which was broken at the lower attach point. Further, the rudder bearing cap on the pilot side inboard was damaged, the rudder springs were damaged and disconnected at the tunnel, and the floorboards and firewall were buckled and creased. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced and that she then pulled the yoke to the farthest aft position. She further reported that the airplane porpoised and that she applied the brakes; however, she "could not press the right brake fully". Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination by a local mechanic revealed substantial damage to the yoke, which was broken at the lower attach point. Further, the rudder bearing cap on the pilot side inboard was damaged, the rudder springs were damaged and disconnected at the tunnel, and the floorboards and firewall were buckled and creased. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C