Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to perform a solo cross-country and land at the accident airport. The student pilot stated that following a stabilized approach, he did not properly maneuver the airplane into a flare. The airplane touched down hard on the runway surface and bounced back into the air. The airplane then touched down again and then bounced multiple times, porpoising along the runway. As a result of the impact, the airplane incurred damage to the firewall.
The student pilot noted that he failed to add engine power to correct the self-induced oscillation. He stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA243 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 8, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ronan, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Ronan (7S0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N734SW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.