Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was attempting a landing into the sun with agricultural chemical on the windshield. He said that a sudden air burst pushed the airplane down, which resulted in a hard landing. The airplane then bounced and impacted the runway causing substantial damage to the fuselage. Weather reports for the area did not indicate the presence of weather that would have resulted in an air burst.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA497 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 21, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- North English, Iowa
- Nearest airport
- White Pigeon Airport (7IA1)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
G-164A
- N-number
- N5439
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
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.