Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that at the last moment before touchdown a sudden gust of wind abruptly pushed the airplane to the left side of the runway. Able to maintain control with rudder input, after landing the pilot exited the runway, and parked the airplane. The pilot conducted a visual examination of the airplane and detected no anomalies. He then departed to practice maneuvers before returning to the home base airport. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both propeller blade tips were damaged, the fuselage skin was wrinkled, and the firewall had sustained substantial damage as a result of a hard landing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA274 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 19, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Buckeye, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Buckeye Municipal (BXK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172 - R
- N-number
- N1590W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.