GAA18CA498

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that her first approach was unstable, and she aborted the landing. During the subsequent approach, while on the downwind leg, the tower controller advised her to be cautious of wake turbulence. She continued the approach and during landing, the airplane bounced twice. She attempted to abort the landing, but the propeller struck the ground. She discontinued the aborted landing, and she established a landing roll. She was able to taxi the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward lower fuselage longerons and bulkheads. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot reported that her first approach was unstable, and she aborted the landing. During the subsequent approach, while on the downwind leg, the tower controller advised her to be cautious of wake turbulence. She continued the approach, and during landing, the airplane bounced twice. She attempted to abort the landing, but the propeller struck the ground. She then taxied the airplane to a taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward lower fuselage longerons and bulkheads. The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C