Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, during his third solo flight, he "had a hard landing." He added that he aborted the landing, landed again, and taxied to the ramp without further incident. After shutting the airplane down, he noticed that the propeller and nose landing gear were damaged.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA065 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 8, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sarasota, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Sarasota/Bradenton Intl (SRQ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N2272C
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- 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.