Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, while landing, the airplane "bounced" and then landed "hard." She corrected by pitching the airplane for straight-and-level flight and prepared to flare again. However, the airplane touched down hard on the runway and bounced again. She was able to land the airplane and taxied it to the ramp without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nosewheel.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 160° at 7 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 32.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA503 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Nearest airport
- Ocean City Muni (OXB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N197ME
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2000
- 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.