Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in substantial damage the airplane’s fuselage.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was conducting his first solo flight and the airplane was high on the final leg of the approach to land. He attempted to correct by reducing the engine power to idle. When he initiated the landing flare, the airplane bounced on initial touchdown and then porpoised on the runway. The underside of the fuselage sustained substantial damage during the landing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA259 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 30, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Miami, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Miami Exec (TMB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N2447B
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1999
- 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.