# NTSB investigations, CA: 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 4 · 180 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA332.md): Cessna 152 · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Sep 4, 2026 · N5447L · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR26LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA251.md): Luscombe 8A · Novato, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Jul 7, 2026 · N45886 · Substantial damage
  > On July 7, 2026, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Luscombe 8A, N45886, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Novato, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB WPR26LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA194.md): Autogyro Cavalon · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2026 · N40CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR26LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA143.md): Paul D Cannon Kitfox Light Squared · Lincoln, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 27, 2026 · N11446 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly flare the airplane during landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the improper installation and over torquing of the landing gear attachment hardware,…
- [NTSB WPR26LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA148.md): Quicksilver GT-400 · Chula Vista, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 23, 2026 · N120LF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and a subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB DCA26LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA26LA097.md): Boeing 767 · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 16, 2026 · N443AZ · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s improper derotation which resulted in a hard nose gear touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the captain and first officer’s lack of crew resource management related to communication about pitch control inputs. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB WPR26LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA047.md): Cessna 172S · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Nov 9, 2025 · N5199J · Substantial damage
  > On November 9, 2025, about 1205 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N5199J, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Lancaster, California. The pilot and passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB ANC25LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA032.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Redding, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 8, 2025 · N32371 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach and his delayed action to perform a go-around, resulting in a collision with the runway surface.
- [NTSB WPR25LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA028.md): Dierenfield Devin RV-6A · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 25, 2024 · N805RV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a stablized approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA310.md): Cessna 177B · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 22, 2024 · N177SX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach, which resulted in a collision with rocky terrain.
- [NTSB WPR24LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA272.md): Renquist George GS-2 Sportsman · Hawthorne, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2024 · N552GC · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s failure to maintain airspeed during a short field landing and the instructor’s delayed remediation, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA163.md): Cessna 162 · Livermore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 25, 2024 · N6003F · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and abnormal contact with the runway. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s improper landing flare and go-around.
- [NTSB WPR24LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA041.md): Bell OH-58A · Brawley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 21, 2023 · N158TR · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 8 bearing and the subsequent failure of the scavenge oil pump.
- [NTSB WPR24LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA023.md): Vans RV-12 · Novato, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 26, 2023 · N28BS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR23LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA239.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Alturas, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N6430P · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to the failure of the right magneto distributor gear and the pilot’s decision to conduct a test flight with known mechanical issues.
- [NTSB WPR23LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA154.md): Cessna T337G · Upland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 16, 2023 · N38C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly flare the airplane, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly a nonstandard traffic pattern, which resulted in an unstable approach.
- [NTSB WPR23LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA029.md): Cessna 152 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 13, 2022 · N5171B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilots unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA004.md): Bell 206B · Fresno, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2022 · N284CA · Substantial damage
  > The disbond of a tail rotor drive shaft splined adapter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA302.md): Goddard Dick Sim Bensen B-8M · Corona, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 13, 2022 · N532KB · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the engine mount resulting in a loss of engine power and directional control while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR22LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA296.md): Piper PA-32-300 · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2022 · N841AD · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s partial loss of engine power during the landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in an off airport landing and subsequent fire.
- [NTSB WPR22LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA167.md): Cessna 172R · Redding, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 25, 2022 · N9572W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare and remedial action which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB ANC22LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA014.md): Bell 205A-1 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 15, 2022 · N502HQ · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR22LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA028.md): Bearhawk 4 · Redding, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2021 · N360WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent ground loop.
- [NTSB WPR21LA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA364.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2021 · N84068 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate flare which resulted in a hard and bounced landing.
- [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 WPR21LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA269.md): Cessna 172R · Petaluma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2021 · N996RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing following a partial loss of electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction and hampered visual function.
- [NTSB WPR21LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA282.md): Jabiru USA Sport J230-SP · Oceano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 5, 2021 · N733J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after landing fast and hard which damaged the right main landing gear wheel pant which lodged under the wheel.
- [NTSB WPR21LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA200.md): Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C · Glenn, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 12, 2021 · N6596K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA188.md): Cessna 182Q · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2021 · N54PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and his subsequent inadequate pitch and airplane control during a go around which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB WPR21LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA071.md): Co Z Cozy · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 17, 2020 · N82V · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power due to an improperly installed sparkplug.
- [NTSB WPR20LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA325.md): Cessna T210 · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2020 · N300JS · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent retraction of the flaps during a go-around by the pilot-rated passenger, which caused the airplane to settle onto the runway with the landing gear retracted.
- [NTSB WPR20LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA228.md): Md Helicopter 600 · San Andreas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2020 · N745BW · Destroyed
  > The failure of the output shaft of the overrunning clutch inner race due to frictional overheating of the shaft, which resulted from the failure of the output bearing’s stainless-steel grease seal.
- [NTSB WPR20CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA132.md): Cook Sonex · Upland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Apr 27, 2020 · N1222C · Substantial damage
  > A gradual loss of engine power during takeoff due to the pressure regulator not keeping continuous fuel pressure which led to a precautionary off airport landing and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA105.md): Piper PA 18 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 29, 2020 · N1890A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in a rapid descent rate, hard landing, and nose-over.
- [NTSB WPR20CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA064.md): Airborne XT912 · Hawthorne, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 13, 2020 · N805M · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to arrest the airplane’s descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA20CA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA034.md): Bell 47G · King City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 18, 2019 · N7060J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.
- [NTSB GAA19CA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA537.md): Czech Sport Sportcruiser · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2019 · N117BF · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA508](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA508.md): Piper PA28 · Hemet, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2019 · N16435 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while attempting to go around, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
- [NTSB WPR19LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA228.md): Head AX9-118 · Galt, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2019 · N2027S · Minor damage
  > A loss of control following an adverse wind encounter.
- [NTSB WPR19LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA174.md): Cessna 182M · Upland, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 15, 2019 · N777RK · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to detonation within the No. 2 cylinder as a result of a lean fuel flow setting.
- [NTSB GAA19CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA284.md): Schweizer 269C · Riverside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2019 · N269P · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain yaw control and the engine's rpm during transition to a hover, which resulted in hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR19TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA110.md): Kubicek BB100 · St. Helena, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 14, 2019 · N355WC · Minor damage
  > The balloon pilot's encounter with unforecasted wind, which resulted in his decision to land in unsuitable terrain and a subsequent hard landing. Contributing to the severity of passenger injury was the pilot’s failure to provide a proper safety briefing.
- [NTSB WPR19CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19CA052.md): Robinson R22 · Hayward, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 28, 2018 · N8319T · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird during low-altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA090.md): Zenair CH 750 Cruzer · Hesperia, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2018 · N947DS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in hard, bounced landing, runway excursion, and impact with a hangar.
- [NTSB WPR18LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA265.md): Schweizer 300CBi 269C1 · Granada Hills, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2018 · N2128T · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power that was the result of a loss of compression in the No. 1 and 4 cylinders due to damage and material separation from the exhaust valve heads, which resulted in a subsequent forced, hard landing. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB WPR18LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA226.md): Hughes 369 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N105JL · Substantial damage
  > The instructor’s delayed remedial action to an excessive descent rate during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA396.md): Cessna 182 · San Luis Obispo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2018 · N411BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA500](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA500.md): Cessna 152 · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2018 · N4962L · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR18LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA133.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N423ML · Substantial damage
  > The loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA589](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA589.md): Piper PA28R · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2018 · N9368N · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?state=CA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE 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?state=CA

---
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.