Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, during his second landing, the airplane ballooned and landed hard on the runway. As a result, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA101 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 9, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mayfield, Kentucky
- Nearest airport
- Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N4942G
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- 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.