Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that his approach to landing was unstable and that he added power on short final because he was too low and slow. When the landing gear touched down, the airplane began porpoising with "several hard bounces" down the runway, ultimately resulting in propeller strike damage, firewall damage, engine mount damage, and nose wheel damage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA149 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 20, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Palo Alto, California
- Nearest airport
- Palo Alto Arpt Of Santa Clara (PAO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N6521J
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.