Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot executed a go-around after the airplane's pitch angle for the approach was too high. He then attempted another approach with a lower angle but at a somewhat faster approach speed with idle engine power. During the landing attempt, the airplane landed hard, bounced twice before the student pilot applied full engine power and retracted flaps from 100 percent to 50 percent in order to execute a go-around. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway and impacted terrain and a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and wing. The pilot student reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA496 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 20, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Battle Creek, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- W K Kellogg Airport (BTL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cirrus SR20
- N-number
- N93TA
- 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.