Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control resulting in a hard landing and damage to the airplane firewall.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, while performing touch and go landings at his host airport, the airplane sustained a hard landing. He stated that the first of two landings was flat and the airplane bounced, but the subsequent takeoff was normal. He reported that during the second landing, "I felt that there was something wrong with the tire, so I stopped, followed the checklist to shut down the engine and proceeded to contact tower and request assistance." A post flight inspection revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fire wall.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA214 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 3, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Miami, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Miami Executive (TMB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N6223D
- 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.