Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that while on a solo flight during a normal approach to landing, the airplane was a "little fast" as he settled onto runway 23. The airplane bounced, and the pilot pitched the nose down to land. The propeller struck the runway and the airplane sustained structural damage to the firewall and tail tie-down. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 220 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA278 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 24, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pinehurst, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Moore County Airport (SOP)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N500TC
- 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.