NTSB Factual Report

On April 28, 2006, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cirrus SR-20, N1488C, porpoised during landing at Willows-Glenn County Airport, Willows, California. The owner 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. The cross-country instructional flight departed Stockton Metropolitan Airport, Stockton, California, about 1154, with a planned destination of Willows. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed.

The pilot submitted a written report. His solo cross-country flight originated at Mc Clellan Airfield, Sacramento, California. After takeoff, he flew to Stockton, where he performed a full stop landing. He then flew the airplane to Willows Airport.

The pilot stated that the approach to runway 34 at Willows was normal; however, the airplane porpoised after touchdown. He initiated an aborted landing, and flew to Red Bluff Municipal Airport where he landed uneventfully. He parked the airplane at the ramp and shut down the engine. The pilot inspected the airplane and found damage to the propeller resulting from ground impact during the porpoise. An inspection by maintenance personnel revealed structural damage.

The pilot notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board on May 18, 2006.

The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.