2 Jul 2009: CESSNA 172S — UND Aerospace Foundation

2 Jul 2009: CESSNA 172S — UND Aerospace Foundation

No fatalities • Grand Forks, ND, United States

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The accident occurred during the student pilot's third landing on his first solo flight. He reported that his first two landings were uneventful, but the airplane landed hard on the third landing for unknown reasons. An after-flight inspection revealed that one of the propeller blade tips was curled from contact with the runway and that the engine firewall was substantially deformed.

Contributing factors

  • cause Incorrect use/operation
  • cause Student pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 010/05kt, vis 10sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 20 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172S (VISTA AVIATION INC)
  • 13 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172S (CHRISTIANSEN AVIATION LLC)
  • 11 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172S (PHOENIX EAST AVIATION LLC)
  • 1 Mar 2026 — CESSNA 172S (CHAPEL HILL FLYING CLUB INC DBA)
  • 28 Feb 2026 — CESSNA 172S (Aspen Flying Club)

Same operator

  • 2 Aug 2010 — Piper PA-12 (UND Aerospace Foundation)
  • 22 Oct 2009 — Piper PA-44-180 (UND Aerospace Foundation)
  • 20 Oct 2009 — CESSNA 172S (UND Aerospace Foundation)
  • 23 Jul 2009 — RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY C90A (UND Aerospace Foundation)
  • 2 Jul 2009 — CESSNA 172S (UND Aerospace Foundation)

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