Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 60; Flight Crew Type 60
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Weather; Human Factors
I was landing at KLS on runway 30 with winds 270 at 13. As I turned from base on to final; I was a little high; so I added full flaps and reduced power to get back on the glide path. My approach speed was 70 mph and I was slipping into the wind for the landing. When I began to flare at 65 mph; the left wing dipped even more and the aircraft began to go to the left. I made the mistake of trying to level the wings and compounded it by not applying more right rudder. The plane got hit with a gust from the left side and it lifted the aircraft up; to the right; then back down. I tried to lower the left wing with the ailerons and pulled back on the elevator; but it was too little too late. The aircraft landed on the right main and nose wheels; and I heard the ringing sound of the prop hitting the runway. The strike did not stop the engine and damaged only the very ends of the prop so I was able to regain control and taxi off the runway.Contributing factors:There was a row of trees of varying height about 500 ft away from and parallel to the runway. When the owner of the flight school flew down to pick me up; he explained how the wind blowing over the trees and on to the runway could have cause a 'roll' or 'eddy' effect which may have caused the dipping/lifting of the left wing.What can be done to prevent a recurrence:I would practice slip landings; both with my instructor and solo; on a more consistent basis. I would practice them on days with and without crosswinds to reinforce the techniques; build muscle memory and improve reaction times. If the runways allow; I would use slightly more airspeed and less flaps on crosswind landings. I would become much more knowledgeable about where obstructions are and what impact they can have on the winds.
C172 student pilot reported experiencing a prop strike during a landing in gusty winds at KLS.