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Student Pilot Lands Short During Solo Touch and Go

Craig, CO, United States

On June 17, 2016, a CESSNA R172 K was involved in an aviation accident near Craig, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and the nose wheel impacting the runway edge and substantial damage to the firewall. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot reported landing short of the runway during a solo touch and go, causing the nose landing gear to strike the runway edge and resulting in substantial firewall damage. No mechanical issues were noted.

Event Details

A student pilot, conducting a fifth solo flight, experienced an off-target landing during a touch and go maneuver. The aircraft touched down before the runway threshold, causing the nose landing gear to impact the asphalt edge of the runway.

Damage

The impact resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The extent of damage was consistent with a hard landing on an uneven surface.

Pilot Report

The student pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not report any other anomalies prior to the event.

Investigation

No further details were provided regarding the specific aircraft type, registration, or environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The investigation focused on the pilot's account and the physical evidence of landing short.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintained

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jun 2016 CESSNA R172 K accident near Craig, CO?

A student pilot reported landing short of the runway during a solo touch and go, causing the nose landing gear to strike the runway edge and resulting in substantial firewall damage. No mechanical issues were noted.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Jun 2016 CESSNA R172 K accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jun 2016 involved a CESSNA R172 K, at Craig, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and the nose wheel impacting the runway edge and substantial damage to the firewall.

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