Cessna 172 accident near Stoneville, North Carolina, April 18, 2024
On April 18, 2024 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 172, registered N7921G, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Stoneville, North Carolina (Rockingham County Nc Shiloh airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2024 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Stoneville, North Carolina · Rockingham County Nc Shiloh · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 L, built 1970 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N7921G · registry record · serial 17259621
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot and flight instructor initially flew together on the day of the accident with the intention of practicing pattern work and landings, with the possibility of the student pilot performing her first solo flight given that the conditions were favorable. The student pilot first performed three circuits of the traffic pattern, with the instructor in the airplane, without incident. The flight instructor characterized that the student’s landings were “good,” and her patterns were consistent. The windsocks at the approach end of the runway were limp, indicating low wind. After the third landing, the flight instructor endorsed the student for solo flight and her first solo landing was uneventful. The student pilot described that when she was coming in for her second solo landing, she heard other pilots calling in over the radio saying they were on final approach to land, and she wanted to get out of the way as soon as possible. Also, during her landing, the precision approach path indicator was not on, and she had difficulty with her depth perception. She realized that she was too high and fast coming in on short final. The airplane then struck the runway and porpoised 4-times. She was subsequently unable to steer the airplane using the rudder pedals and the airplane was towed back to the ramp. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage was substantially damaged. The operator reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,342 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 16, 2024; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 4,340 hours total
- Operator: Triad Aviation Academy LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KSIF Stoneville NC at 7:30 pm
- Destination: SIF Stoneville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from KSIF
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSIF 181755Z AUTO 26007KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A3002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 7 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – N7921G Post Accident
Photograph 2 – Propeller
Photograph 3 – Right Side of Firewall / Cowling Juncture
Photograph 4 – Right Angle View of Right Side Firewall / Cowling Juncture
Photograph 5 - Left Angle View of Right Side Firewall / Cowling Juncture
Photograph 6 - Firewall
Photograph 7 – Overview of Firewall and Surrounding AreaThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 31, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airport Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.