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Casualties unknown

Light Sport Aircraft Firewall Cracked After Hard Landing (N7722D)

Nampa, ID, US

On February 17, 2007, a Flight Design Gmbh CTSW (registration N7722D) was involved in an aviation accident near Nampa, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and excessive forward elevator input, which resulted in a hard touchdown and structural damage to the firewall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-21Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot misjudged the flare during landing, causing a hard bounce that overloaded and cracked the aircraft's firewall. No mechanical issues were found prior to the event.

What happened

The light sport airplane experienced a hard touchdown followed by a bounce during the landing phase. The impact was significant enough to overload the airframe structure at the firewall, resulting in a crack. The student pilot operating the aircraft reported that he misjudged the timing of the landing flare. In an attempt to correct the descent, he overreacted by pushing the elevator control stick too far forward, which contributed to the severity of the touchdown.

The investigation

Following the incident, investigators examined the airplane to determine the extent of the damage and the condition of its systems. The examination confirmed that the firewall had cracked due to the structural overload caused by the hard landing. A thorough review of the aircraft's systems revealed no pre-existing mechanical malfunctions or defects that would have contributed to the accident.

Probable cause

The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and excessive forward elevator input, which resulted in a hard touchdown and structural damage to the firewall.
Loss of control in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Feb 2007 Flight Design Gmbh CTSW accident near Nampa, ID?

A student pilot misjudged the flare during landing, causing a hard bounce that overloaded and cracked the aircraft's firewall. No mechanical issues were found prior to the event.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Feb 2007 involved a Flight Design Gmbh CTSW, registration N7722D, at Nampa, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and excessive forward elevator input, which resulted in a hard touchdown and structural damage to the firewall.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070316X00299. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.