GAA18CA261

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane bounced. She added that she was surprised and attempted to correct by getting back into ground effect, but the airplane bounced a second time. During the third bounce, the propeller struck the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mounts. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 13 knots. The airplane landed on runway 23. The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane bounced. She added that she was surprised and attempted to correct by getting back into ground effect, but the airplane bounced a again. During the third bounce, the propeller struck the runway, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mounts. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 13 knots. The airplane landed on runway 23. 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-Crosswind-Effect on operation