Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain a proper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, as he flared for landing, the airplane "hit" the runway hard. He added that the airplane porpoised about 7 or 8 times before settling on the runway. He then taxied the airplane to the parking ramp with no further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The chief flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA199 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 29, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Nearest airport
- New Bedford Rgnl (EWB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N803BW
- 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.