Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, as the airplane approached the runway, he realized that the airplane’s descent rate was higher than normal. The airplane touched down hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. The pilot attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane yawed left, its nose hit the ground, and it nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA088 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 2, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mokuleia, Hawaii
- Nearest airport
- Dillingham Airfield (PHDH)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N5026C
- 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.