N316VV Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P-MENTOR accident

NTSB CEN26LA113 · 2026-02-11 · Des Moines, IA · near DSM

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that during the approach to the runway, she reduced the engine power while over the runway threshold. The airplane floated, it landed hard on the runway, and then it bounced. After a second bounce, the student pilot applied the brakes. The airplane bounced a third time and departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the left wing impacted a runway sign. The airplane came to rest upright on a grass field near the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the engine mount. The student pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

260

Wind speed (kt)

7

Temperature (F)

48

Nearest airport

DES MOINES INTL

Distance from field

0.001

Airport elevation

957

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings