Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot stated that he entered the traffic pattern at the airport and completed all before-landing checks. He said that the airplane touched down hard, and he lost directional control. The airplane exited the runway, collided with an embankment and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, right wing, and right horizontal stabilizer. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA490 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 14, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Naples, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Naples Municipal Airport (APF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172R
- N-number
- N10632
- 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.