Probable cause
The student pilot's incorrect landing flare, which resulted in the airplane porpoising upon touchdown.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, during the second landing of the flight, the "nose wheel touched [the] ground first," and the airplane porpoised. He added that he applied power to abort the landing and subsequently completed a normal traffic pattern and landing.
The firewall sustained substantial damage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA312 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 30, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- El Cajon, California
- Nearest airport
- Gillespie Field (SEE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N483SP
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1998
- 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.