NTSB Factual Report

On October 8, 2001, at 1302 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N2364E, was substantially damaged when it landed hard on the runway at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The student pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at approximately 1258.

The pilot stated that he was doing touch-and-go landings. His first approach was a "little fast" and the initial flare was "not enough." The airplane hit the runway with the nose landing gear first. The airplane bounced up and began to "oscillate." He requested a full stop and told the tower that he would not continue his touch-and-go since he had had a "hard landing." He taxied the airplane off the runway and to the hanger. The airplane's nose landing gear was damaged, the firewall was buckled and the lower portion of the rudder was bent.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's excessive airspeed on final approach.