The pilot told investigators that she rented the Cessna 172 to gain proficiency flying from the right seat and asked the flight instructor to sit in the left seat during the flight.
While maneuvering the airplane through the final approach leg of the traffic pattern at the airport in Louisville, Kentucky, she reported making control adjustments to recover from a low and slow approach to land.
She attempted to initiate a go-around, but utilizing muscle memory from flying from the left seat, she inadvertently reduced throttle and pushed the yoke forward, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced and she applied full power, after which the flight instructor took control of the airplane. The flight instructor flew another traffic pattern and landed the airplane without further incident.
The airplane’s floorboards and internal structure were later found to be substantially damaged.
Both the pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare and control inputs, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
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This October 2024 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.
Just….good grief.