Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare and inadequate directional control while performing an aborted landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, she made a normal approach, and the airplane touched down firmly on the runway and bounced twice. The pilot neutralized the flight controls to stop the bouncing. When directed by the tower air traffic controller to go-around, she applied full power, turned off the carburetor heat, and raised the flaps. As she raised the airplane’s nosewheel off of the ground, the airplane veered to the left, exited the runway surface, and struck a runway sign. The airplane’s firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA082 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 26, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Nearest airport
- Honolulu International Airport (PHNL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N66540
- 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.