Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, he was fast on the approach and touched down on the main landing gear, bounced, then released back pressure on the yoke. The airplane started to porpoise uncontrollably and the nose landing gear broke off. The airplane departed the runway to the right and came to rest inverted in the grass. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, vertical stabilizer, and to the rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA371 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 22, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Manassas, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N740SP
- 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.