2 May 2016: CESSNA 172 S — UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION

2 May 2016: CESSNA 172 S — UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION

No fatalities • Mesa, AZ, United States

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in an abnormal runway contact, porpoise, nose gear collapse, runway excursion, and impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The student pilot reported that during landing the airplane porpoised, subsequently he attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane touched down again, which resulted in a collapsed nose gear, runway excursion, and an impact with terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

According to the student pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pitch control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 100/07kt, vis 45sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 22 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172N (ANDERSON AVIATION SERVICES INC)
  • 20 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172S (VISTA AVIATION INC)
  • 19 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172P (JEPPESEN EMPLOYEES FLYING ASSOCIATION)
  • 16 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172 K (Top Aviation Services)
  • 13 Apr 2026 — CESSNA 172S (CHRISTIANSEN AVIATION LLC)

Same operator

  • 6 Oct 2016 — CESSNA 172 S (UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION)
  • 1 Oct 2008 — PIPER PA-28-161 (UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION)
  • 19 Sep 2008 — CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180 (UND AEROSPACE FOUNDATION)

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