Probable cause
The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, his first two attempts to land resulted in bounced landings and he performed a go-around each time. On the third landing attempt, the airplane approached the runway at a shallower angle, bounced, and nose landing gear struck the ground, which caused it to collapse. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The investigation discovered no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA461 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 13, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sanford, Maine
- Nearest airport
- Sanford Regional Airport (KSFM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT
- N-number
- N602PS
- 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.