Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA13CA040

Hampton, NH, USA

Aircraft #1

N4567E

AERONCA 7CCM

Analysis

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was conducting her first solo flight after 15 hours of dual instruction. On the first and second attempts at landing, the student pilot bounced, applied power and went around. On the third attempt at a landing in the pattern, a small helicopter was on the runway and she went around again. On the fourth attempt at landing, the airplane touched down, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop on the right side of the runway. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the right side fuselage incurred substantial damage due to buckling. The flight instructor reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was conducting her first solo flight after 15 hours of dual instruction. On the first and second attempts at landing, the student pilot bounced, applied power and went around. On the third attempt at a landing in the pattern, a small helicopter was on the runway and she went around again. On the fourth attempt at landing, the airplane touched down, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop on the right side of the runway. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right side fuselage incurred substantial damage due to buckling. The flight instructor reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's improper landing flare and touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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