# NTSB CEN26LA200: Cessna 172, N3984F, Naubinway, MI, May 27, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 27, 2026, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Naubinway, MI
- Coordinates: 46.12901, -85.46638
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1290&lon=-85.4664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA200

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper engine power application during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and nose over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was on the final approach to the runway and reduced engine power too early resulting in a hard, bounced landing during which the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, both wings, and both wing struts. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane before the accident and that it was due to pilot error.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3984F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3984F), registered now, S/N 36884, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36884
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 6508
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2026
- Departed: SLH, Cheboygan, MI
- Destination: MI69, Naubinway, MI
- Airport: MI69, Hiawatha Sportsmans Club Airport, runway 26, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 16, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 420 total, 420 in this make and model, 1.5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KERY, 11 nm away
- METAR: METAR KERY 271935Z AUTO 35012G16KT 10SM CLR 23/06 A3005 RMK AO2

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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