Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate descent rate and airspeed on final resulting in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he used a forward slip to lose altitude on final. He said that he was a "little slow" when he came out of the slip. He reported that the landing was a hard landing, the right main landing gear contacted first, and then the gear folded under the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA485 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 31, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Flushing, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Dalton Airport (3DA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Taylorcraft BC12-65
- N-number
- N77FJ
- 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.