Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare while landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot of the Cessna 172R, he departed from the airport and was performing three supervised solo takeoffs and landings. During the third landing, the airplane impacted the runway with the nose wheel, damaging the firewall, and then "bounced" several more times. Subsequently, the student pilot landed the airplane on the runway and came to a stop. The student pilot's certificated flight instructor witnessed the entire event and stated that, "he did not flare and then oscillated down the runway." The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for NYC08CA314 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 16, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Brunswick, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Malcolm Mckinnon Airport (SSI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172R
- N-number
- N4172P
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.