Probable cause
The student pilot's failure maintain the proper pitch attitude during landing, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, during final approach to land, he realized that the airplane was too high and that he had not added "enough flare." The airplane landed nosewheel first during the touchdown and then started to porpoise. The student conducted a go-around, entered the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the firewall.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 3 knots, and the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 27L.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA137 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 15, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sanford, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Orlando Sanford Intl (SFB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N572ND
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2009
- 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.