No fatalities

Landing Flare Too High Results in Nose Landing Gear Collapse

Detroit, MI, United States

On June 8, 2012, a CESSNA P210N operated by ON FILE was involved in an aviation accident near Detroit, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot flared too high during landing, causing a hard landing on the nose gear, which collapsed. The airplane skidded to a stop, sustaining structural damage.

Incident Overview

During the landing sequence, the pilot flared too high, causing the airplane to touch down on the nose landing gear. This initial touchdown resulted in a bounce, after which the airplane again made contact with the runway on the nose landing gear. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse.

Post-Impact Sequence

Following the collapse, the airplane skidded along the runway before coming to rest upright. Postaccident examination revealed that the firewall and fuselage were buckled and bent. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal flight.

Investigation Findings

The pilot's account indicates that the excessive flare height was the primary factor in the event. No other contributing factors were identified from the available information.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilot