Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and the nose wheel impacting the runway edge and substantial damage to the firewall.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that during his fifth solo touch and go landing, the airplane landed short of the runway and impacted the runway asphalt edge with the nose landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA327 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 17, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Craig, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Craig-Moffat (CAG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna R172
- N-number
- N998M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.