Probable cause
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and lack of remedial action due to his diverted attention to a radio call, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway.
NTSB analysis
During an instructional flight, the student pilot was landing the airplane. As the flight instructor observed the student's approach, he noted that the approach path was too low, so he prompted the student to add more engine power. The instructor then diverted his attention to a radio call with another airplane and did not monitor the student's approach path. When the instructor realized that the approach path was too low to make the runway, there was insufficient time for him to intervene before the airplane landed short of the runway. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane before the accident
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA246 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wonder Lake, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Galt Field (10C)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N6576H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- 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.