GAA19CA137

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during final approach to land, he realized he was too high, he "didn't add enough flare." The airplane landed nose wheel first during the touchdown; subsequently, the airplane started to porpoise. The student pilot performed a go-around, entered the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, aft of the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident the wind was from 100 degrees true at 3 knots, and the airplane was landing runway 27L. The solo student pilot reported that, during final approach to land, he realized that the airplane was too high and that he had not added "enough flare." The airplane landed nosewheel first during the touchdown and then started to porpoise. The student conducted a go-around, entered the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the firewall. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 3 knots, and the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 27L. 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-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation