Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
NTSB analysis
Shortly after takeoff in the twin-engine airplane, the flight instructor announced a simulated engine failure and expected the student pilot to land on the remaining runway. The student pilot responded by reducing both engines to idle power, but did not pitch the airplane's nose down enough to maintain sufficient airspeed. The flight instructor responded by lowering the airplane's nose to the proper attitude before releasing the controls. Moments later the flight instructor realized that the student pilot was not arresting the rate of descent and was unable to react in time to prevent a hard landing. The airplane's fuselage and right wing sustained structural damage during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA213 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 12, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Durango, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Durango-La Plata County (DRO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 58
- N-number
- N8245H
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.