NTSB Factual Report

On December 21, 2002, at 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733AM, experienced a hard landing at Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, California. Glendale Community College was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local instructional flight originated from Pacomia about 1355.

In a written statement, the operator of the accident airplane reported that the student pilot was on his first solo flight and attempting to perform practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings on runway 21. After completing an uneventful takeoff, the student pilot flew a left traffic pattern and configured the airplane for landing. The airplane was higher than normal on final approach, but the airplane touched down without mishap. While on the landing roll, the airplane became airborne, climbing to about 15 to 20 feet above ground level. Upon returning back down to the runway surface, the airplane hit hard, with the nose wheel touching down first. Although the nose wheel blew out, the student pilot was able to taxi the airplane off the runway.

The operator further stated that after landing, the student pilot stated that he thought that he had pulled back too much on the yoke. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall, propeller, and nose landing gear. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's excessive use of the elevator control that resulted in an inadvertent lift-off and his failure to maintain/attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and hard landing.