Cessna 172 N734AV accident near Delta, Utah

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.

NTSB analysis

According to the student pilot, following the first leg of his solo cross-country flight, he entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 17 "because other traffic was using runway 17 even though winds were 050° at 3 knots."

He reported that, as the airplane approached the runway, the airspeed was too high, and the airplane landed hard on the nosewheel and porpoised. He conceded, "I knew it was a hard landing, but did not hear the prop strike occur."

The student pilot departed the airport and accomplished two approaches and a landing at a third airport before returning to his home airport where he accomplished two approaches, a landing, and then taxied to parking.

The student pilot reported that he could have prevented the accident by performing a go-around when he realized that his approach speed was too high. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.

The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the engine or airframe that would have prevented normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA496 for the full record.