Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the chief flight instructor, the student pilot was performing a local solo flight in the traffic pattern. The approach to landing was normal, but the student flared late and landed hard on the nose wheel. The airplane bounced several times and incurred substantial damage to the firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA213 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 23, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Pierce, Florida
- Nearest airport
- St Lucie County International (FPR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N88EP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.