Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Porpoises and Flips Aircraft During First Solo Landing Attempt (N54153)

Mckinney, TX, US

On April 21, 1997, a Cessna 172P (registration N54153) operated by Addison Air Training was involved in an aviation accident near Mckinney, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the ground after recovery from a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a student pilot's first supervised solo flight, the second landing ended with a porpoise, recovery, hard braking, runway excursion, and the aircraft flipping over after the nose wheel broke off in a muddy ditch.

Incident Overview

According to the instructor pilot, the student pilot was conducting his first supervised solo flight. The first landing was normal and uneventful. However, during the second landing attempt, the student porpoised the airplane, meaning the aircraft experienced a series of oscillations caused by improper landing technique. The student recovered from the porpoise but then applied the brakes aggressively, causing the aircraft to depart the runway.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft proceeded off the runway and into a muddy ditch. Upon entering the ditch, the nose wheel became embedded in the mud and subsequently broke off from the aircraft. The loss of the nose wheel caused the aircraft to flip over onto its back. The incident occurred during the student's first solo flight, under the supervision of an instructor pilot.

Aircraft Damage

The aircraft sustained damage consisting of the nose wheel breaking off and the fuselage overturning. No further details on damage were provided in the source.

Personnel

The flight involved an instructor pilot and a student pilot. The source did not specify any injuries or fatalities.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Apr 1997 Cessna 172P accident near Mckinney, TX?

During a student pilot's first supervised solo flight, the second landing ended with a porpoise, recovery, hard braking, runway excursion, and the aircraft flipping over after the nose wheel broke off in a muddy ditch.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Apr 1997 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N54153, operated by Addison Air Training, at Mckinney, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the ground after recovery from a bounced landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07711. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.