On August 5, 2004, a Cessna 172R (registration N458CM) operated by Central Missouri State University was involved in an aviation accident near Olathe, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot flared too high and failed to recover from a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot's solo cross-country flight ended with a hard landing that bent a propeller tip and buckled the engine firewall. The pilot reported flaring too high and ballooning multiple times before veering off the runway.
Incident Overview
A student pilot experienced a hard landing while conducting his third solo cross-country flight. According to the pilot's report, the landing was initiated with a flare that was too high, causing the airplane to touch down hard. This was followed by several ballooning episodes, during which the aircraft bounced back into the air. The airplane then veered to the left of the runway, causing the left main landing gear and nose gear to depart the runway surface.
Damage Assessment
A post-flight inspection revealed that one propeller tip was bent. Further inspection uncovered that the engine firewall was buckled. The airplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the hard landing.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that the flight was his third solo cross-country experience. He stated that the hard landing and subsequent veer off the runway occurred after he flared too high. No other contributing factors were reported.
What happened in the 5 Aug 2004 Cessna 172R accident near Olathe, KS?
A student pilot's solo cross-country flight ended with a hard landing that bent a propeller tip and buckled the engine firewall. The pilot reported flaring too high and ballooning multiple times before veering off the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 5 Aug 2004 involved a Cessna 172R, registration N458CM, operated by Central Missouri State University, at Olathe, KS.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The student pilot flared too high and failed to recover from a bounced landing.
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