# 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.

Page 1 of 2 · 77 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA212.md): Cessna 172S · Georgetown, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 24, 2026 · N964SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [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 ERA26LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA102.md): Cessna 172 · New Castle, DE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N969FG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ failure to properly identify the assigned runway during the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane landing on a closed, snow-covered runway. Contributing was the illumination of the closed runway’s edge lighting.
- [NTSB ERA25LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA306.md): Cessna 172 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2025 · N6208C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate landing flare at night, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 CEN25LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA095.md): Cessna 172S · Waco, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 6, 2025 · N798SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare that led to a bounced landing, and her improper pitch control during the attempted recovery that resulted in a nose down pitch attitude upon the second touchdown.
- [NTSB ERA25LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA118.md): Cessna 172 · Kennesaw, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2025 · N1159K · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path and the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the landing approach, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway.
- [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 ERA24LA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA398.md): Cessna 172 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 17, 2024 · N371RH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare resulting in a hard, 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 CEN23LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA348.md): Cessna 172 · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2023 · N860TW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.
- [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 ERA22LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA087.md): Cessna 172S · Hazleton, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 12, 2021 · N215LP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed on approach in tailwind conditions, which resulted in an extended touchdown, bounced landing, and runway excursion.
- [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 CEN22LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA056.md): Cessna 172 · Madison, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2021 · N5321A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control following a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN21LA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA235.md): Cessna 172 · McAllen, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 22, 2021 · N999MA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway sign.
- [NTSB ERA20CA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA130.md): Cessna 172 · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 17, 2020 · N66046 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the nosewheel steerage linkage during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with an obstacle during an attempted aborted landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA089.md): Cessna 172 · DuBois, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 17, 2019 · N683SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his subsequent improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight…
- [NTSB GAA20CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA023.md): Cessna 172 · Louisville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 15, 2019 · N6097G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplane
- [NTSB GAA19CA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA503.md): Cessna 172 · Ocean City, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2019 · N197ME · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA375.md): Cessna 172 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2019 · N606JA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing…
- [NTSB GAA19CA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA137.md): Cessna 172 · Sanford, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 15, 2019 · N572ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure maintain the proper pitch attitude during landing, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
- [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 GAA18CA505](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA505.md): Cessna 172 · Churchville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 23, 2018 · N419SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing left of the runway centerline, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a power box.
- [NTSB GAA18CA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA425.md): Cessna 172 · Batavia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2018 · N12064 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard 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 GAA17CA479](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA479.md): Cessna 172 · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2017 · N1129K · Substantial damage
  > A hard landing and propeller strike for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [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 GAA17CA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA014.md): Cessna 172 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 6, 2016 · N602ND · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in his failure to maintain directional control during a go-around and a runway excursion.
- [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 CEN16CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA319.md): Cessna 172S · Arlington, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 9, 2016 · N544SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [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 GAA16CA472](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA472.md): Cessna 172 · Kahului, HI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2016 · N335SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and hard landing.
- [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 GAA16CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA158.md): Cessna 172 · Frederick, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 23, 2016 · N65329 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439&page=2

## 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' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '090' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence?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.