This November 2008 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: Frederick, M.d. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot had made a short local flight and returned to his home airport to practice takeoffs and landings. The first approach went well. During the second approach he realized that the airplane was low and slow, so he increased engine power to do a go-around. The plane drifted off the runway and the pilot heard the landing gear strike the top of the precision approach path indicator light box. He attempted to set the airplane down again and the nose landing gear struck the edge of the runway and collapsed.
Probable cause: The delayed decision to abort the landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov
