Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he performed a go-around on the first landing attempt. On the second landing attempt the airplane ballooned during the flare and subsequently impacted the runway with the propeller and the nose landing gear; the nose gear collapsed and separated from the airplane. A postaccident damage assessment revealed that the airplane's engine mount had sustained substantial damage as a result of the hard landing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA187 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 6, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ho'Olehua, Hawaii
- Nearest airport
- Molokai (HMK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28 - 181
- N-number
- N4338V
- 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.