No fatalities

11 Dec 2012: LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED XL-2 — AVERETT UNIVERSITY OF DANVILLE VA — Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg, VA, United States

On 11 Dec 2012, a LIBERTY AEROSPACE INCORPORATED XL-2 operated by AVERETT UNIVERSITY OF DANVILLE VA was involved in an aviation accident near Lynchburg, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 10 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a solo cross-country landing, a student pilot flared too high, resulting in a hard touchdown. A go-around attempt led to a bounce, nose gear collapse, and substantial aircraft damage.

Incident Overview

A student pilot was returning from a solo cross-country flight when a hard landing occurred during the touchdown sequence. According to the pilot's report, she flared the airplane too high above the runway just prior to landing, causing a hard impact.

Sequence of Events

Following the hard touchdown, the student pilot applied full power in an attempt to execute a go-around. However, the airplane bounced, and during the bounce, the nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft then skidded down the runway before coming to rest.

Aircraft Examination

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and documented substantial damage. Notably, a large hole was found in the cockpit floor, located just aft of the left seat rudder pedals.

Pilot and Mechanical Report

The student pilot reported no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. No other details regarding the pilot, aircraft type, or location were provided in the source.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationStudent pilot