No fatalities

Student Pilot Solo Flight Results in Runway Propeller Strike

Albuquerque, NM, United States

On April 8, 2014, a CESSNA 172S was involved in an aviation accident near Albuquerque, NM. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper flare that resulted in a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot practicing solo full-stop landings experienced a bounce on touchdown, causing a propeller tip to strike the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial firewall damage, with no prior mechanical malfunctions reported.

Incident Overview and Pilot Report During a solo flight, a student pilot was practicing full-stop landings. The pilot reported that the aircraft bounced upon initial touchdown. This bounce resulted in one tip of the propeller making contact with the runway surface. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or system failures in the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft Damage Examination Following the incident, an examination of the aircraft was conducted. The inspection revealed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the firewall. No other specific mechanical issues or pre-accident failures were identified in the source material.

Contributing factors

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilot

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Apr 2014 CESSNA 172S accident near Albuquerque, NM?

A student pilot practicing solo full-stop landings experienced a bounce on touchdown, causing a propeller tip to strike the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial firewall damage, with no prior mechanical malfunctions reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Apr 2014 CESSNA 172S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Apr 2014 involved a CESSNA 172S, at Albuquerque, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's improper flare that resulted in a bounced landing.