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NTSB Report

February 18, 2017 · Cessna 172N N · N738DS

Statesville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Statesville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172N N (1977)
Tail Number
N738DS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17CA114

The student pilot was on the second leg of a solo cross-county training flight. During the landing flare at the destination airport, he landed the airplane "hard," and it bounced twice before he was able to regain control. He taxied back to the beginning of the runway and conducted a run-up. Noting no anomalies, he taxied onto the runway and started the takeoff roll. During the takeoff, he pulled back on the yoke "too far," and the airplane climbed between 30 and 40 ft before entering an aerodynamic stall and colliding with the ground. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. It could not be determined whether the airplane incurred damage during the hard landing that would have impacted the pilot's ability to maintain pitch control during the subsequent takeoff; therefore, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

The student pilot was on the second leg of a solo cross county training flight. During the flare at the destination airport, he landed the airplane "hard" and it bounced twice before he was able to regained control. He taxied back to the beginning of the runway and conducted a run-up. Noting no anomalies, he taxied onto the runway and started the takeoff roll. During the takeoff, he pulled back on the yoke "too far" and the airplane climbed between 30 and 40 feet before entering an aerodynamic stall and colliding with the ground. The nose gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane before the landing. It could not be determined whether the airplane incurred damage during the hard landing that would have impacted the pilot's ability to maintain pitch control during takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EST
Nearest AirportStatesville Rgnl (0nm W)
Runway28
Runway Length7003 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N N
Tail NumberN738DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 34 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time18:10
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data