Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged landing flare that resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The airplane landed hard on the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the runway. The airplane swerved off the runway before stopping 50 feet later. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA162 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Shafter, California
- Nearest airport
- Shafter-Minter Field Airport (KMIT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-28-140
- N-number
- N28290
- 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.