On December 2, 2008, a CESSNA 172RG was involved in an aviation accident near Truckee, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare, leading to a hard landing and subsequent porpoise. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a normal approach, the pilot misjudged the flare height, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced, entered a porpoise, and the propeller struck the runway, causing substantial firewall damage. No mechanical issues were reported.
Accident Description
The pilot reported that during a normal approach to landing, he misjudged the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare. This misjudgment caused the airplane to settle onto the runway hard. The impact caused the airplane to bounce, and the pilot stated that he then lowered the nose. Subsequently, the airplane entered a porpoise motion, during which the propeller contacted the runway.
Damage
The firewall sustained substantial damage as a result of the event. No other damage was specified in the report.
Pilot Report
The pilot indicated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The event was attributed solely to the pilot's misjudgment of the flare height.
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare, leading to a hard landing and subsequent porpoise.
Contributing factors
PilotLanding flare — Not attained/maintained
Related events
Same aircraft family
24 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172B
23 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
18 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
16 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172M (CK Aviation LLC)
9 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172
8 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N
7 Sep 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Tin Cup Investments INC)
24 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172M
21 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172P (Vascular Wings LLC)
18 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Ocala Aviation Services INC)
16 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172L (Foothill Aircraft Sales and Service Inc.)
9 Aug 2026 — CESSNA 172N (Kimber 123 Holdings LLC)
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 2 Dec 2008 CESSNA 172RG accident near Truckee, CA?
During a normal approach, the pilot misjudged the flare height, resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced, entered a porpoise, and the propeller struck the runway, causing substantial firewall damage. No mechanical issues were reported.
Were there any fatalities in the 2 Dec 2008 CESSNA 172RG accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Dec 2008 involved a CESSNA 172RG, at Truckee, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's misjudgment of the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare, leading to a hard landing and subsequent porpoise.
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