On 14 May 2013, a CESSNA 172S operated by Exec 1 Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Ankeny, IA. 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; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a student pilot's first solo flight, the second landing resulted in three to four bounces. Postflight inspection revealed a bent propeller blade tip and a buckled firewall, with no reported malfunctions.
Accident Details
During the second landing of a student pilot's initial solo flight, the airplane landed flat and bounced three to four times. Following the bouncing landing, the student pilot taxied off the runway and assessed that the airplane appeared to be operating normally. The student then performed one additional takeoff and landing, both of which were uneventful.
Postflight Inspection
Upon returning, a postflight inspection of the airplane discovered that one propeller blade tip was bent aft and the firewall was buckled. The student pilot reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the airplane before the accident.