Casualties unknown

Night Landing Difficulty Leads to Hard Landing and Damage (N63177)

Omaha, NE, US

On April 12, 1986, a Cessna 172P (registration N63177) operated by Sky Harbor Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Omaha, NE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting a night landing reported repeated difficulties and requested radio assistance. An inoperative landing light compounded the trouble, resulting in a hard three-point landing with substantial aircraft damage.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported experiencing difficulty while attempting a night landing. After several unsuccessful attempts, the pilot requested assistance via radio. The pilot stated that an inoperative landing light compounded the difficulty, ultimately resulting in a hard three-point landing.

Inspection and Damage

A subsequent inspection of the aircraft by a mechanic revealed a substantial amount of damage. The specific extent of the damage was not detailed in the report, but it was characterized as substantial.

Flight School Status

The chief pilot for the flight school involved stated that their 14 CFR Part 141 pilot school certificate had recently expired. The school opted not to pursue renewal, instead choosing to operate under 14 CFR Part 61 regulations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Apr 1986 Cessna 172P accident near Omaha, NE?

A pilot attempting a night landing reported repeated difficulties and requested radio assistance. An inoperative landing light compounded the trouble, resulting in a hard three-point landing with substantial aircraft damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Apr 1986 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N63177, operated by Sky Harbor Air Service, at Omaha, NE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X33386. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.