Probable cause
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and the pilot were performing a simulated forced landing. During the maneuver, the pilot did not maintain a stabilized airspeed on final approach. The airplane landed hard on the runway, sustaining substantial damage. Both pilots reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The flight instructor stated that he should have aborted the landing at the first indication of an error by the pilot.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA522 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 6, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Andrews University Airpark (C20)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28R-200
- N-number
- N404SE
- 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.