NTSB Factual Report

On December 26, 2003, at 1245 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172R, N26486, registered to T J Aviation Inc and operated by PDK Flight Academy collided with the ground during a hard landing at Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Atlanta, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, on December 26, 2003 at 1230.

According to the certified flight instructor, during the student pilot's first unsupervised solo, he landed the airplane on runway 20L, and veered off the left side of runway surface into the grass. The student pilot reported that he while descending fast on final approach he landed the airplane "flat" and bounced. He applied brakes and the airplane skidded off of the left side of the runway. The propeller struck the turf and the airplane came to rest between runway 20R and 20L. The student pilot stated that he failed to maintain control of the airplane when it bounced.

Examination of the airplane revealed, the left and right wing tips were crushed. The nosewheel assembly was bent forward, and the firewall was buckled. Review of the pilot logbook showed that the student pilot had accumulated a total of 15 flight hours over a time period of a year. The student pilot prior to the accident reported no flight control or mechanical problems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor is lack of total experience.