Event WPR25LA102

Factual narrative

On February 23, 2025, about 1420 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N137RJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near La Verne, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, while conducting a simulated short field takeoff with a student, the airplane was taxied into position on the runway, then stopped. The brakes were held as engine power was increased using the throttle control. When the brakes were released to begin the takeoff roll, the left main landing gear wheel began to rotate as expected, however, there was a slight delay in the movement of the right main landing gear wheel. Shortly after, the right main landing gear leg collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing, horizontal stabilizer and elevator were substantially damaged, and the right main landing gear tubular spring was partially separated from the airframe. The airplane was retained for further examination. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12