GAA18CA085

Factual narrative

The director of aviation safety for the flight school reported, the student pilot was on her first solo cross-country flight, and that during the approach to land, the airplane was fast and high. Subsequently, the airplane landed nose low and the propeller struck the ground. The student did not know she had damaged the propeller or fuselage during the landing and continued the rest of her intended flight without further incident. The next assigned flight crew discovered the damage and an examination by the maintenance department revealed the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The director of aviation safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The director of aviation safety for the flight school reported that the student pilot was on her first solo cross-country flight and that, during the approach to land, the airplane was fast and high. Subsequently, the airplane landed nose low, and the propeller struck the ground. The student did not know the propeller or fuselage had been damaged during the landing and continued the rest of her intended flight without further incident. The next assigned flight crew discovered the damage, and an examination by the maintenance department revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The director of aviation safety reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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