Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, while landing during a solo flight, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the right side of the runway, and he was "unable to recover." The airplane landed hard, bounced, and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located 8 nautical miles south-southeast from the airport revealed that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA112 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 26, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Silver City, New Mexico
- Nearest airport
- Whiskey Creek (94E)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N1046F
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.