Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a porpoised hard landing and a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that during landing in crosswind conditions, the airplane "porpoised back into the air two or three times, finally striking the nose gear hard." He further reported that the nose gear had been damaged and the airplane veered off the runway to the right.
The engine mounts sustained substantial damage.
The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observing system at the accident airport, near the time of the accident, recorded the wind at 240 degrees true at 16 knots. The student pilot reported that the landing was on runway 29 right.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA029 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 3, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Torrance, California
- Nearest airport
- Zamperini Field (TOA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Airplane Factory (Pty) Ltd SLING
- N-number
- N232SL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2014
- 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.