Probable cause
The student's improper landing flare and the flight examiner's improper supervision of the student.
NTSB analysis
The flight examiner stated that the accident occur while administering a sport pilot airplane check ride to the student pilot. During the preflight briefing he advised the student pilot that he, the student, would be the pilot in command under FAR 61.47(b) for the practical test. On the third landing, which was a simulated soft field landing, the student pilot flared too high. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with the ground, and veered off to the left of the runway. The student pilot did not report ay mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08CA050 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 31, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Stafford, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Stafford Regional Airport (RMN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Thorpedo T211
- N-number
- N211US
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.