NTSB WPR21LA331 — 2021-08-23 · Hayward, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N737GL

Make / Model: CESSNA 172N
Year of manufacture: 1977 · 44 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19770805
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A9E5AD

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N737GL Cessna 172N None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced hard landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the airplane bounced multiple times before he added power to go around. The pilot subsequently went around and landed without further incident. The lower fuselage and interior floorboards sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR21LA331.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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