Probable cause
The student pilot's incorrect landing flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing, nose wheel collapse, and runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that during a night training flight the airplane was high on final approach. He further reported that during the landing flare, the airplane ballooned and then touched down hard. The flight instructor attempted to abort the landing, but the nose gear collapsed during the touchdown and the airplane veered off the runway.
The right wing and left elevator sustained substantial damage.
The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA295 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 8, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Thomson, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Thomson-Mcduffie County (HQU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N124CK
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- 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.