Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and student pilot were returning to the airport for landing after practicing maneuvers. The student pilot was flying the airplane and after a normal approach, just prior to touchdown on the runway, he abruptly pulled back on the control yoke. The airplane climbed approximately 10 feet as the flight instructor assumed control and pushed the control yoke forward. The airplane subsequently landed hard, which resulted in damage to the nose gear, the right engine propeller, and the nose cone structure at the base of the windshield. The flight instructor further stated that he did not experience any flight control malfunctions and weather was not a factor during the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA484 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 25, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Savannah, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Savannah/ Hilton Head Airport (SAV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-34
- N-number
- N47611
- 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.