# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172S: Hard landing

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 · 81 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 ERA26LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA174.md): Cessna 172S · The Rock, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 13, 2026 · N63405 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
- [NTSB CEN26LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA004.md): Cessna 172 · North La Junta, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 2, 2025 · N617SP · Substantial damage
  > The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [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 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 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 CEN23LA421](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA421.md): Cessna 172S · Midland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2023 · N391SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB CEN23LA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA430.md): Cessna 172S · West Bend, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N529ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate landing flare that resulted in a hard landing and impact with the runway.
- [NTSB CEN23LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA354.md): Cessna 172S · Clewiston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 2, 2023 · N1403R · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nose landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot.
- [NTSB CEN22LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA281.md): Cessna 172S · Fargo, ND · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 19, 2022 · N5256S · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot flying, which resulted in a nose-wheel first hard landing.
- [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 ERA21LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA180.md): Cessna 172S · Orangeburg, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2021 · N22467 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA128.md): Cessna 172 · Orange, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 8, 2021 · N841SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA092.md): Cessna 172S · Culpeper, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 22, 2020 · N505LP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land the airplane in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity.
- [NTSB CEN21LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA066.md): Cessna 172 · Lawrence, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 20, 2020 · N99HV · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR20CA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA293.md): Cessna 172 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2020 · N103VK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch attitude and landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructors delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB ERA20CA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA263.md): Cessna 172 · Prattville, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2020 · N173ME · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA20CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA165.md): Cessna 172 · New Symrna Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2020 · N957TC · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action and decision to not go-around after a bounced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA20CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA078.md): Cessna 172 · Ormond Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 26, 2019 · N882TC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA590](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA590.md): Cessna 172 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 25, 2019 · N309BR · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA302.md): Cessna 172 · La Grange, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2019 · N212BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 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 GAA18CA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA326.md): Cessna 172 · Westminster, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 26, 2018 · N789EP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 GAA17CA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA351.md): Cessna 172 · Lawrence, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2017 · N99HV · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect control application during landing after a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the flight instructor's delayed action to perform a go-around in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA229.md): Cessna 172 · San Marcos, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2017 · N2477F · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA122.md): Cessna 172 · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 12, 2017 · N10897 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA065.md): Cessna 172 · Sarasota, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 8, 2016 · N2272C · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA069.md): Cessna 172 · Danville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 4, 2016 · N456SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA523](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA523.md): Cessna 172 · Tooele, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2016 · N461SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [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 GAA16CA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA295.md): Cessna 172 · Thomson, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2016 · N124CK · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect landing flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing, nose wheel collapse, and runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA288.md): Cessna 172 · Henderson, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2016 · N124ME · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.
- [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 GAA16CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA104.md): Cessna 172 · Dothan, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 12, 2016 · N417ER · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-rated student's hard landing, which resulted in fuselage damage.
- [NTSB GAA15CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA237.md): Cessna 172 · Springfield, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 23, 2015 · N691SP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA140.md): Cessna 172 - S · Traverse City, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2015 · N195NW · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA046.md): Cessna 172S · Naples, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 19, 2015 · N100PM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA15CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA150.md): Cessna 172S · Richmond, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2015 · N144ME · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA14CA452](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA452.md): Cessna 172S · Naples, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2014 · N21670 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land due to the deteriorating weather conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14CA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA273.md): Cessna 172S · Harrisburg, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2014 · N193ME · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN14CA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA191.md): Cessna 172S · Albuquerque, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 8, 2014 · N5306U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare that resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA14CA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA109.md): Cessna 172S · Immokalee, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 27, 2014 · N21670 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA13CA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA335.md): Cessna 172S · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 22, 2013 · N121CW · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR13CA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA332.md): Cessna 172S · Santa Barbra, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 17, 2013 · N971TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN13CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA289.md): Cessna 172S · Ankeny, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2013 · N947SP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA12CA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA560.md): Cessna 172S · Sebring, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 3, 2012 · N9965P · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA12CA569](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA569.md): Cessna 172S · Farmingdale, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 1, 2012 · N2409E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN12CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA426.md): Cessna 172S · Grand Forks, ND · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 10, 2012 · N548ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/cases.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' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '092'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/cases?model=2072439

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