Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the certified flight instructor, the student pilot was on approach for landing to runway 10 left. Prior to touchdown the student pilot pulled excessive back pressure on the elevator flight control and the airplane ballooned before touching down hard on the main landing gear. The flight instructor then took over the flight controls, made a go-around, and landed on another runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the rudder torque tube.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA208 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 1, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ft. Pierce, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Sant Lucie County Intl (FPR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N5460K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.