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Hard Landing During Short Field Landing Practice Damages Airplane

Phoenix, AZ, United States

On August 18, 2020, a Cessna 172 S operated by Westwind School of Aeronautics LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Phoenix, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper pitch attitude and landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructors delayed remedial action. 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

During a short field landing practice, the student pilot misjudged the touchdown point and flared early, resulting in a hard landing that caused substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel.

Accident Details

The accident occurred while a pilot receiving instruction was practicing a short field landing. According to reports, the pilot misjudged the touchdown location and flared early, causing the airplane to land hard. The flight instructor stated that he warned the pilot to maintain his pitch attitude, but the pilot continued to flare, leading to the hard landing.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel as a result of the hard landing.

Mechanical Condition

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedPitch control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Instructor/check pilot

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 18 Aug 2020 Cessna 172 S accident near Phoenix, AZ?

During a short field landing practice, the student pilot misjudged the touchdown point and flared early, resulting in a hard landing that caused substantial damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Aug 2020 Cessna 172 S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Aug 2020 involved a Cessna 172 S, operated by Westwind School of Aeronautics LLC, at Phoenix, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper pitch attitude and landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructors delayed remedial action.

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