Cessna 172P N53265 accident near Centennial, Colorado

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the flare which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and aerodynamic stall at a low altitude and loss of airplane control.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot stated she was practicing solo touch-and-go landings. On short final on the second touch-and-go she reported she was lined up with the runway and at the correct airspeed. As she began to flare the stall horn sounded and the airplane stalled, she lowered the nose and added power. The airplane drifted right and touched down to the right of the runway and proceeded down sloping terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC26LA027 for the full record.