Probable cause
The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was performing a solo flight in preparation for a commercial rating. After three uneventful touch-and-go landings, the number of airplanes in the pattern increased from two to four or five. The pilot sequenced himself between two other training flights and inadvertently failed to lower the landing gear prior to landing. Substantial damage to the wing strut crossover bulkhead resulted. The chief flight instructor for the university flight training program reported that the accident scenario will be incorporated into the curriculum for all students.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA071 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 19, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cleveland, Mississippi
- Nearest airport
- Cleveland Municipal Airport (RNV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172RG
- N-number
- N941SM
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.