# NTSB ERA26LA126: Cessna 172RG, N949SM, Pembroke Pines, FL, February 1, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 1, 2026, 18:39 local (23:39 UTC)
- Place: Pembroke Pines, FL · Runway 28L KHWO
- Coordinates: 25.998166, -80.236682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9982&lon=-80.2367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA126

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

## Findings

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

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after entering the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the wind conditions felt stronger than reported by the automatic terminal information service. During his approach to land the pilot’s focus was on the wind conditions; he did not extend the landing gear and subsequently landed with them retracted. The airplane remained on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N949SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N949SM), registered now, S/N 172RG0713, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0713
- Year built: 1980
- Airframe hours: 12691.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Trust Co LLC Trustee
- Registered owner: Aviation Trust Co LLC Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 2026, 10 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: HWO, North Perry, runway 28L, 3,463 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 512 total, 105 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observed at: HWO
- METAR: METAR KHWO 012253Z 30011KT 10SM CLR 09/M06 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP241 T00891056 $=

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260201002819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260201002819A), Feb 1, 2026: Cessna 172RG, Pembroke Pines, FL, Substantial damage. NTSB accident no.: ERA26LA126 atqa: A-SO-19-26-025 sas ptrs no.: SO19202602426 task id: T-SO19-FY26-0377 registration: nxxxxmake: Cessna model: C175RG serial…

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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