Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot was attempting to land when a gust of wind lifted the right wing which caused the airplane to move to the left. The student pilot said that he did not properly flare while trying to realign the airplane on the runway and the airplane landed hard. This resulted in a blown tire along with damage to the propeller and firewall. The pilot reported no pre-mishap mechanical deficiencies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14CA274 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 30, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bluffton, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Bluffton Airport (5G7)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N5495K
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.