Probable cause
The pilot's failure to compensate for turbulence during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that during the landing, as he began to flare, the airplane was, "hit with the first blast of wake turbulence", from a helicopter that was hovering on the helipad to the left of the runway. The airplane landed hard, exited the runway to the right, and collided with a runway sign.
According to the meteorological terminal aviation routine weather report (METAR) at the airport, the temperature was 99 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind was variable at 4 knots.
The helicopter pad was located over 400 feet to the east of the location that the pilot reported encountering the blast of wake turbulence.
Due to the distance of the helicopter pad from the event location, the ambient temperature, and lack of significant wind, it is likely the student pilot encountered thermal related turbulence on short final.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA276 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 24, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Van Nuys, California
- Nearest airport
- Van Nuys (VNY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 28
- N-number
- N8258S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.