Accident Piper PA-12 N3568M, Friday 22 October 1993

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Date:	Friday 22 October 1993
Time:	14:45 LT
Type:	Piper PA-12
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N3568M
MSN:	12-2504
Year of manufacture:	1947
Total airframe hrs:	4597 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-235-C1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Hamilton, MT - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	(6S5)
Destination airport:	(6S5)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
A STUDENT PILOT WAS MAKING A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING DURING HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT, WHEN THE AIRPLANED TOUCHED DOWN FIRMLY & BEGAN TO PORPOISE. THE STUDENT INITIATED CORRECTIIVE ACTION TO STOP THE PORPOISE, BUT THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, HIT A DITCH, & WAS DAMAGED.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING, THE RESULTANT PORPOISE, AND THE DITCH NEAR THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

Accident investigation: