NTSB Factual Report

On July 20, 2005, about 0650 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N106ED, made a hard landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Edwards, California. Edwards Aero Club was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed about 0649. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the accident were 34 degrees 54.33 minutes north latitude by 117 degrees 53.02 minutes west longitude.

The operator contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Van Nuys, California, on July 20, 2005. The FSDO notified the National Transportation Safety Board of this accident on August 22, 2005.

The pilot reported that while making a repositioning flight from the south runway complex to the main base runway (approximately 1/4 mile distance), the pilot departed runway 24 and landed on runway 04. Upon touchdown, the airplane hit the runway hard and bounced back into the air. The pilot tried to recover, but on the second landing attempt, the airplane hit the runway even harder. The airplane bounced one or two more times before the pilot was able to complete the landing. After the pilot parked the airplane, he completed a post flight inspection, and found damage to the propeller and to the nose wheel. Further inspection revealed damage to the firewall.

On August 29, 2005, the operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudged flare and inadequate recovery technique from the subsequent bounces.