Probable cause
The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane bounced and began too “fishtail” and he lost control of the airplane. When the pilot regained control of the airplane, the right main landing gear was off the runway and the airplane exited the runway into muddy ground. The airplane nose wheel became stuck, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to wings and vertical stabilizer. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 1, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Conway, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Conway Regional Airport (KCXW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172K
- N-number
- N7003G
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1968
- 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.