Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nosegear and nosegear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane floated, and she believed that she intuitively released back pressure to get the airplane to land. Subsequently, the nose landing gear impacted the runway first and collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The student pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA250 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 9, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Auburn, Maine
- Nearest airport
- Auburn/Lewiston Muni (LEW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N722SA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1997
- 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.