Probable cause
The pilot’s use of an excessive pitch attitude during the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing flare he pitched up "higher than what is normal" and the airplane bounced three times during the touchdown. The pilot further reported that he was able to taxi the airplane to the ramp, but he noticed the nose wheel was flat.
During a 100-hour maintenance inspection conducted a week later, it was revealed that the firewall sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA025 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 5, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kapolei, Hawaii
- Nearest airport
- Kalaeloa (John Rodgers Field) (JRF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N429ES
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1997
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.