FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Student Pilot Reports Hard Landing After Gust-Induced Balloon During Flare (N2816A)

Indianapolis, IN, US

On May 30, 1993, a Piper PA-28 (registration N2816A) operated by Raf Flight School was involved in an aviation accident near Indianapolis, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: a misjudged flare and subsequent hard landing by the student pilot. A factor in the accident was the student pilot's failure to perform a go-around. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot reported that a gust of wind during the landing flare caused the airplane to balloon, resulting in a hard landing and multiple bounces before exiting the runway.

Incident Overview

A student pilot reported that during the landing flare, a gust of wind caught the airplane, causing it to balloon. The airplane subsequently landed hard on the main landing gear and nosewheel, then bounced into the air. The airplane bounced on the runway surface two more times before exiting the runway and coming to rest.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if she had performed a go-around.

Sequence of Events

According to the student pilot, the gust of wind during the flare led to the ballooning. The hard landing on the main landing gear and nosewheel initiated a bounce. After the first bounce, the airplane made two additional bounces on the runway before departing the runway surface and stopping.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 May 1993 Piper PA-28 accident near Indianapolis, IN?

A student pilot reported that a gust of wind during the landing flare caused the airplane to balloon, resulting in a hard landing and multiple bounces before exiting the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 May 1993 Piper PA-28 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 May 1993 involved a Piper PA-28, registration N2816A, operated by Raf Flight School, at Indianapolis, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

a misjudged flare and subsequent hard landing by the student pilot. A factor in the accident was the student pilot's failure to perform a go-around.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12368. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.