Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate landing flare and the certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, he was practicing crosswind landings with his certified flight instructor (CFI) when they planned to perform a full stop landing on runway 36. The airplane touched down hard in a level attitude and the CFI moved his hand to the throttle to add engine power but was too late. After impacting the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. After reviewing a security video of the accident, the airport manager reported that the airplane did not flare prior to landing. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The reported wind conditions at an the airport around the time of the accident were variable from 240 degrees to 310 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 17 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA187 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 12, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oxford, Connecticut
- Nearest airport
- Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-161
- N-number
- N2838D
- 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.