Cessna 172 N2462E

Summary

On 30 August 2016 at about 16:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N2462E, operated by Aero-Smith, Inc., was involved in an accident near Winchester, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 August 2016 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Winchester, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Winchester Rgnl (OKV)

Coordinates

39.1436, -78.1444

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N2462E

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Aero-Smith, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Martinsburg → Winchester

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA460

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise, a loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned during the landing flare and touched down beyond the planned touchdown point. He further reported that the airplane porpoised and on the third bounce he felt a vibration. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway to the left and stopped in grass next to the runway. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.