Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during landing he flared too high, which resulted in the airplane bouncing hard three times. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall had sustained substantial damage. 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 WPR15CA028 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 23, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hawthorne, California
- Nearest airport
- Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172 - S
- N-number
- N564AT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- 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.