GAA17CA470

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane porpoised and the propeller struck the runway. He added that he initiated a go-around, landed, and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about 37 minutes before the accident the wind was from 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots. The same weather observation station reported that about 23 minutes after the accident the wind was from 250° at 10 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 24. The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane porpoised, and the propeller struck the runway. He added that he initiated a go-around, landed, and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 250° at 10 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 24. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation