On March 11, 2018, a CESSNA 172 R was involved in an aviation accident near Bedford, MA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in substantial damage. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported a hard nose wheel landing during crosswind conditions. Postaccident inspection found substantial fuselage damage, but no preaccident mechanical issues were identified.
Event
During a landing in crosswind conditions, the pilot experienced a heavy touchdown on the nose wheel. The aircraft was taxied to the parking area without any further incidents.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that upon touchdown, it "felt like [the airplane] landed heavily on the nose wheel." No preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported that would have prevented normal operation.
Postaccident Examination
An examination conducted after the landing revealed substantial damage to the fuselage of the aircraft.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the automated weather observation system at the airport recorded wind from 300 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot had landed on runway 29.
Contributing factors
Causes
Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedPilot
Other contributing factors
Effect on operation
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)
What happened in the 11 Mar 2018 CESSNA 172 R accident near Bedford, MA?
A pilot reported a hard nose wheel landing during crosswind conditions. Postaccident inspection found substantial fuselage damage, but no preaccident mechanical issues were identified.
Were there any fatalities in the 11 Mar 2018 CESSNA 172 R accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 11 Mar 2018 involved a CESSNA 172 R, at Bedford, MA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in substantial damage.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…