Cessna 172M Skyhawk, N80399, operated by Aviation Adventures LLC: Accident occurred July 09, 2017 at Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. Davis Field (KHEF), Manassas, Virginia

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Washington, District of Columbia

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N80399

Location: Manassas, VA
Accident Number: GAA17CA448
Date & Time: 07/09/2017, 1300 EDT
Registration: N80399
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Abnormal runway contact

The solo student pilot was practicing takeoff and landings at the accident airport. On her fifth and final landing, she reported that the control tower advised her to spend minimal time on the runway due to a jet that was No. 2 to land behind her. She added that, she rushed the landing and was too fast to level off during the flare. Subsequently the nose wheel touched down first, and a porpoise ensued. Following the porpoise, she taxied off the runway without incident.

A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 19, Female
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/12/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:  
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 45.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 45.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 4.5 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N80399
Model/Series: 172 M
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17266571
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/05/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines:  1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1268 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D
Registered Owner: NASS EDWIN
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: Aviation Adventures LLC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHEF, 192 ft msl
Observation Time: 1656 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 239°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 13°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable, Variable
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Manassas, VA (HEF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Manassas, VA (HEF)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1100 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D 

Airport Information

Airport: MANASSAS RGNL/HARRY P DAVIS FI (HEF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 192 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 34R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6200 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  38.721389, -77.514167 (est)