Probable cause
The student pilot's inadequate flare and the certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice landings. As the student began to flare for landing, the airspeed decreased and the airplane stalled about 3 to 5 feet above the ground. The airplane impacted the runway hard on the right main landing gear and bounced. The student pilot applied full engine power and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, traveled up an embankment, and the left wing impacted the ground. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA193 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 8, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pittstown, New Jersey
- Nearest airport
- Aky Manor Airport (N40)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Flight Design CTSW
- N-number
- N470Q
- 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.