Probable cause
The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the solo student pilot, the airplane bounced during the landing. She continued the landing, and on the last bounce, the left main landing gear went off the runway. The airplane exited the runway, and the pilot attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing, engine mount, and lower fuselage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA004 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 2, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- North La Junta, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- La Junta Muni (LHX)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N617SP
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2000
- 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.