Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot said that his approach to landing appeared to be normal, but when the airplane touched down it bounced up into the air. He said that within a second or two it slammed back onto the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that its firewall was wrinkled and that the nosewheel strut and support structure were bent.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA204 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 7, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spokane, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Spokane International Arpt (GEG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N54036
- 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.