# NTSB ERA26LA281: Cessna 172N, N3462E, Mooresville, NC, July 18, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 18, 2026, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Mooresville, NC · airport runway - Coordinates: 35.614117, -80.899673 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6141&lon=-80.8997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 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): 203462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203462/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203462 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane contacted the runway hard and bounced twice before he was able land and bring the airplane to a stop near the departure end of the runway. The airplane’s lower fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3462E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3462E), registered now, S/N 17271555, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271555 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 10387.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: NC86 Flying Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2025 - Departed: BCB, Blacksburg, VA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 14A, Lake Norman Airpark, runway 32, 3,147 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2026; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 111 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: SVH, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KSVH 181500Z AUTO 24005KT 10SM CLR 31/24 A3006 RMK AO2 T03110236 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203462. 3.9 MB in all. - NTSB 6120 1 form pilot (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20941076&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB 6120 1 form mechanic (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20941460&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form%20Meachanic_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 617 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20941249&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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. --- 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.