# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172S: Abnormal runway contact

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA133.md): Cessna 172S · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 28, 2026 · N1071Z · Substantial damage
  > The solo student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA25LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA148.md): Cessna 172 · Brooksville, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2025 · N740SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage.
- [NTSB ERA24LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA319.md): Cessna 172 · Elizabeth City, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 16, 2024 · N92970 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA192.md): Cessna 172 · Zelienople, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 20, 2024 · N684SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind condition during landing.
- [NTSB CEN23LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA159.md): Cessna 172S · Fredericksburg, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2023 · N478SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around resulting in abnormal contact with the runway pavement and a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA23LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA017.md): Cessna 172 · Sanford, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 4, 2022 · N455ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's unstable approach, which resulted in a hard landing and impact with a runway threshold light. Also causal was the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action to prevent the hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA123.md): Cessna 172S · San Carlos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 7, 2022 · N653ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA22LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA065.md): Cessna 172S · Palm Coast, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2021 · N61237 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage to the lower fuselage and firewall.
- [NTSB GAA19CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA076.md): Cessna 172 · Ogden, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 22, 2018 · N21621 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA340.md): Cessna 172 · Hillsboro, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2018 · N363CK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent porpoise.
- [NTSB GAA18CA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA348.md): Cessna 172 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2018 · N497SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA294.md): Cessna 172 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N254EK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA143.md): Cessna 172 · McKinney, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 24, 2018 · N9520Z · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper approach and landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA085.md): Cessna 172 · Park Rapids, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 2, 2017 · N524ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground.
- [NTSB GAA18CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA045.md): Cessna 172 · Trenton, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 9, 2017 · N2138W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA470](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA470.md): Cessna 172 · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2017 · N497TC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA312.md): Cessna 172 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2017 · N483SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect landing flare, which resulted in the airplane porpoising upon touchdown.
- [NTSB GAA17CA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA300.md): Cessna 172 · Clarksville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2017 · N53460 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA104.md): Cessna 172 · Palm Coast, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 24, 2016 · N1289Y · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and porpoise.
- [NTSB ERA17LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA026.md): Cessna 172 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2016 · N497SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB GAA16CA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA421.md): Cessna 172 · Oak Island, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2016 · N24447 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA386.md): Cessna 172 · Chesterfield, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 18, 2016 · N128RM · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and substantial damage to the firewall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA268.md): Cessna 172 · Newport News, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2016 · N1724U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in abnormal runway contact and a substantially damaged firewall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA219.md): Cessna 172 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2016 · N509ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in an abnormal runway contact, porpoise, nose gear collapse, runway excursion, and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA16CA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA188.md): Cessna 172 · Payson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2016 · N5275S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, resulting in the subsequent porpoise during landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA187.md): Cessna 172 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 6, 2016 · N6023V · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the student pilot to maintain pitch control while landing, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA048.md): Cessna 172 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 7, 2015 · N1107G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, resulting in a porpoise, and firewall damage.
- [NTSB GAA15CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA026.md): Cessna 172S · Vernal, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 28, 2015 · N2168D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during landing flare.
- [NTSB WPR15CA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA028.md): Cessna 172 - S · Hawthorne, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2014 · N564AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA351.md): Cessna 172S · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 16, 2014 · N10033 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate flare and loss of aircraft control during landing, which resulted in multiple bounces.
- [NTSB ERA14CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA078.md): Cessna 172S · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 24, 2013 · N17223 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare during a gusty, crosswind landing.
- [NTSB ERA13CA395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA395.md): Cessna 172S · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2013 · N6065P · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to apply power to go-around following a bounced landing resulting in abnormal runway contact and collapse of the nose landing gear.
- [NTSB ERA12CA496](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA496.md): Cessna 172S · Culpeper, VA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2012 · N6276Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR12LA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA444.md): Cessna 172S · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2012 · N320ME · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare and compensation for gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN12CA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA240.md): Cessna 172S · Monroe, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 10, 2012 · N5253Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control.
- [NTSB WPR12CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA088.md): Cessna 172S · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 2, 2012 · N5026C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA11CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA408.md): Cessna 172S · Cambridge, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2011 · N789EP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA10CA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA350.md): Cessna 172S · Salisbury, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2010 · N2373K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09LA579](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA579.md): Cessna 172S · Park Rapids, MN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2009 · N523ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate during a night takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN09LA586](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA586.md): Cessna 172S · Duluth, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2009 · N568ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing, resulting in a hard landing and a propeller strike with the ground.
- [NTSB CEN09CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA495.md): Cessna 172S · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2009 · N401LP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare resulting in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA09CA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA404.md): Cessna 172 · York, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 13, 2009 · N144ME · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072439', '2072442')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '090'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/cases?model=2072439

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.