October 20, 2004, West Columbia, S.C. / Cessna 172SP

At 1600 Eastern time, the aircraft collided with an airport sign after veering left off of Runway 5 during an attempted landing at the Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan Airport. The Student pilot, on his first solo flight, was not injured, although the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The Student pilot later stated that his the first full-stop landing was routine and smooth. The second pattern and approach were normal and stabilized but, during the touchdown, the airplane abruptly bounced on the runway. The student then increased engine power in an attempt to control the descent, but his efforts failed and the airplane bounced on the runway and became more difficult to control. The airplane then veered left of the runway centerline and departed the runway surface into a grassy area.