Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, this flight was her first solo flight and she successfully completed three solo landings. During the landing flare of the last approach, she stated that she became concerned with the airplane's speed and distance from the ground. The airplane impacted the ground “hard” and bounced. The student pilot released back pressure on the yoke and the airplane impacted the ground and bounced a second time. She stated that she pulled the throttle to near the idle position and the airplane hit the ground a third time and came to rest on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The student 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 ERA13CA384 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 18, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Middletown, Delaware
- Nearest airport
- Summit Airport (EVY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N647SP
- 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.