Probable cause
The pilot's improper pitch control which resulted in a hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during touchdown the airplane landed hard and bounced. The third time the airplane made contact with the runway it was in a nose down attitude. The nose landing gear and propeller made contact with runway and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA176 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Montgomery, New York
- Nearest airport
- Orange County (MGJ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR SL
- N-number
- N163PH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.