# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N: 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.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA281.md): Cessna 172N · Mooresville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2026 · N3462E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN26LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA092.md): Cessna 172 · San Marcos, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 7, 2026 · N5136E · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the elevator trim for the takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to follow the before takeoff checklist.
- [NTSB ERA26FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA084.md): Cessna 172 · Provincetown, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jan 4, 2026 · N9360E · Substantial damage
  > On January 4, 2026, at 1504 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N9360E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB WPR25LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA243.md): Cessna 172N · Ronan, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2025 · N734SW · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA25LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA101.md): Cessna 172N · Mayfield, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2025 · N4942G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB ERA24LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA352.md): Cessna 172 · Danville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2024 · N9991E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing and his inadequate communication to the pilot-rated passenger of her role during the flight.
- [NTSB WPR23LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA062.md): Cessna 172N · Socorro, NM · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 10, 2022 · N422B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and loss of control in gusting wind.
- [NTSB WPR21LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA331.md): Cessna 172N · Hayward, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 23, 2021 · N737GL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA090.md): Cessna 172 · Locust Grove, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 26, 2020 · N75825 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA21LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA032.md): Cessna 172N · Williston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 13, 2020 · N6158G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN20CA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA340.md): Cessna 172 · Englewood, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N79110 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot misjudged the landing flare which resulted in a loss of control and a hard bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA20CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA249.md): Cessna 172 · Pickens, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N737WA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN20CA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA257.md): Cessna 172 · Reedsburg, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2020 · N738VY · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN20CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA152.md): Cessna 172 · Enid, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 16, 2020 · N737RR · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a power-off approach and go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion onto a field.
- [NTSB ANC20CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA034.md): Cessna 172 · Kahului, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 17, 2020 · N738DB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to avoid wake turbulence while landing behind a heavy jet airplane, which resulted in a loss of roll control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA067.md): Cessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2019 · N739UA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a taxiway sign.
- [NTSB GAA18CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA112.md): Cessna 172 · Silver City, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 26, 2018 · N1046F · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA540](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA540.md): Cessna 172 · Lynchburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N5396D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in an aborted go-around, an aerodynamic stall, and a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA180.md): Cessna 172 · Naples, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 17, 2017 · N737RT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA111.md): Cessna 172 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 7, 2017 · N907WA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA511.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2016 · N7560D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA305.md): Cessna 172 · Pasco, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2016 · N733EC · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain pitch control during the simulated engine failure after takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing, landing gear(s) collapse, and wing damage.
- [NTSB GAA16CA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA245.md): Cessna 172 · Carbondale, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 18, 2016 · N4668G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate flare which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA202.md): Cessna 172 · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2016 · N6616D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect pitch control input, resulting in a porpoise during landing and substantial damage to the airplane's firewall.
- [NTSB GAA16CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA139.md): Cessna 172 · Willoughby, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 21, 2016 · N516TG · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to reduce pitch attitude during a simulated engine failure during takeoff initial climb, resulting in a high descent rate and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the…
- [NTSB CEN14LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA374.md): Cessna 172N · Rockville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2014 · N13SK · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the dual magneto system. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance of the duel magneto system.
- [NTSB CEN14CA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA457.md): Cessna 172N · Murphysboro, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2014 · N737SY · Substantial damage
  > A hard landing by person(s) unknown.
- [NTSB ERA14CA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA334.md): Cessna 172N · Edgewater, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2014 · N7368F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unanticipated convective gust front or low-level wind shear while landing, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA14CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA160.md): Cessna 172N · Charlottesville, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 8, 2014 · N5423J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
- [NTSB ERA14CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA081.md): Cessna 172N · Farmingdale, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 13, 2013 · N2854E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR13LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA402.md): Cessna 172N · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2013 · N42EP · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve.
- [NTSB ERA13CA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA404.md): Cessna 172N · Knoxville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2013 · N737PD · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN13CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA090.md): Cessna 172N · McKinney, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 1, 2012 · N737TY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard nosewheel landing.
- [NTSB WPR12CA425](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA425.md): Cessna 172N · Eloy, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2012 · N8293E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR12CA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA345.md): Cessna 172N · Ashland, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 25, 2012 · N738AJ · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA11LA489](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA489.md): Cessna 172N · Plymouth, MA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2011 · N739RU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN11CA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA409.md): Cessna 172N · Santa Teresa, NM · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2011 · N739ZN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition, resulting in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN10CA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA336.md): Cessna 172N · Maryland Heights, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2010 · N1061X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR10CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA007.md): Cessna 172N · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2009 · N2219E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA187.md): Cessna 172N · Carlisle, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 1, 2009 · N739NP · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA229.md): Cessna 172 · Manhattan, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 22, 2009 · N733FR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ERA09CA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA058.md): Cessna 172 · Gulf Shores, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 10, 2008 · N172PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare during landing.
- [NTSB LAX08CA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA155.md): Cessna 172N · Sells, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 26, 2008 · N2857E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
- [NTSB LAX08CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA149.md): Cessna 172N · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 20, 2008 · N6521J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB MIA08CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA057.md): Cessna 172N · Centre, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 3, 2008 · N203GT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB NYC08CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA110.md): Cessna 172N · Perry, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2008 · N3015E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds.

## 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 ('2072434')
    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" = '092' 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/092/sequence?model=2072434

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