# NTSB WPR26LA128: Cessna 177, N178DR, Cottonwood, AZ, March 15, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 15, 2026, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.730056, -112.03513
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7301&lon=-112.0351&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA128

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## 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 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [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 177B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073708), [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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported she was performing solo take-offs and landings. On the first landing attempt, the airplane bounced and the student then aborted the landing and re-entered the traffic pattern. On the next landing attempt, the airplane touched down on the nose landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the fuselage side skins. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N178DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N178DR), registered now, S/N 17701575, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (B)
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (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: 17701575
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 3827
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: H&H Trucking INC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2026, 5 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: P52, Cottonwood, runway 14/32, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 166 total, 132 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: P52
- METAR: KSEZ 151455Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM (report uses pilot's wx data)

## 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 20260315003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260315003239A), Mar 15, 2026: Cessna 177B, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. The student pilot, flying solo under the supervision of a flight instructor on the ground, attempted to land but lost control during the first landing approach…

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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