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Solo Student Pilot Reports Hard Landing During IFR Conditions at Home Airport

Naples, FL, United States

On September 14, 2014, a CESSNA 172S operated by REXAIR SALES & LEASING LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Naples, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land due to the deteriorating weather conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A solo student pilot conducted a straight-in approach to a 6,600-foot runway, reporting the runway in sight throughout. The airplane touched down hard on the main and nose landing gear, causing substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. No pre-impact malfunctions were reported.

Incident Overview

A solo student pilot was returning to her home airport when she initiated a straight-in approach to the 6,600-foot runway. According to the tower controller, weather conditions were "deteriorating rapidly" towards instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at the time of landing clearance. However, the pilot reported that the runway remained in sight throughout the entire approach.

Approach and Landing

The pilot stated that she followed traffic pattern altitudes and speeds, and set the flaps to 20 degrees prior to touchdown. During the landing, the airplane touched down "hard" on both the main and nose landing gear. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage.

Mechanical Status

The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedPilot

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)

Same operator

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Sept 2014 CESSNA 172S accident near Naples, FL?

A solo student pilot conducted a straight-in approach to a 6,600-foot runway, reporting the runway in sight throughout. The airplane touched down hard on the main and nose landing gear, causing substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. No pre-impact malfunctions were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Sept 2014 CESSNA 172S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Sept 2014 involved a CESSNA 172S, operated by REXAIR SALES & LEASING LLC, at Naples, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to land due to the deteriorating weather conditions.

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