Probable cause
The solo student pilot’s unstable approach to the runway, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was conducting her initial solo flight. During her turn to final, she realized the airplane was high and attempted to correct by adjusting pitch and engine power. The airplane bounced on initial touchdown, and then porpoised on the runway. After the multiple touchdowns, the student pilot was able to slow the airplane on the runway and taxi to the ramp. During the landing, the tail struck the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. The operator reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA349 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 23, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hooper, Nebraska
- Nearest airport
- Scribner State Airport (SCB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172R
- N-number
- N988CP
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1997
- 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.