Probable cause
The student pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the go-around.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot was attempting to land the airplane on the runway. His first attempt to land was too fast, so he performed a go-around. During the second attempted landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The student initiated a second go-around and pitched the nose up 10 to15 degrees. During the climb, the airplane rolled left, stalled, and then impacted the ground. An examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA348 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 13, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Grand Forks International (KGFK)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N552ND
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.