This August 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Bluffton, Ohio. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was flying solo. The airplane was approaching the landing flare when it encountered a gust of wind. The left main landing gear and nose gear hit the runway hard.
Not knowing the airplane was damaged, the student pilot executed a touch-and-go and flew the airplane back to his home airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was buckled.
Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to compensate for wind conditions and maintain aircraft control during the landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov NTSB Identification: CEN09CA509
