Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate landing flare that resulted in a hard landing and impact with the runway.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that he was conducting a solo cross-country flight and while landing, the nose wheel of the airplane contacted the runway surface hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage, firewall, and floorboard areas. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
In the recommendation section of his submitted NTSB form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, he noted the need to watch [air]speed on landing, control the descent, and avoid pushing down on the yoke.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA430 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 13, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Bend, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- West Bend Muni (ETB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N529ER
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2002
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.