Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P-MENTOR N316VV accident near Des Moines, Iowa

Probable cause

The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The solo student pilot reported that during the approach to the runway, she reduced the engine power while over the runway threshold. The airplane floated, it landed hard on the runway, and then it bounced. After a second bounce, the student pilot applied the brakes. The airplane bounced a third time and departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the left wing impacted a runway sign. The airplane came to rest upright on a grass field near the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the engine mount. The student pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA113 for the full record.