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Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Stalls Aircraft During Simulated Forced Landing Practice (N5709R)

Arlington, CA, US

On April 17, 1994, a Cessna 172F (registration N5709R) operated by Paradise Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Arlington, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to respond to instructor commands and the improper maintenance of a nose-up attitude during a simulated forced landing maneuver led to an inadvertent stall at low altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-16Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot inadvertently stalled an aircraft during a training maneuver, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and a nose-over landing.

What happened

During a flight training session supervised by a certified flight instructor (CFI), a student pilot was practicing simulated forced landings. The maneuver began at approximately 2,000 feet above the ground. During the glide portion of the maneuver, the student pilot performed the procedure incorrectly by maintaining a nose-up attitude.

In response to the improper technique, the CFI instructed the student pilot to add power. However, the student pilot froze on the controls. The instructor allowed the descent to continue while issuing a second command to add power. By the time the student pilot applied full power, the aircraft was only about 50 feet above the ground. This resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft struck the uneven terrain with significant force, causing the plane to nose over.

There were no injuries reported following the accident.

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to respond to instructor commands and the improper maintenance of a nose-up attitude during a simulated forced landing maneuver led to an inadvertent stall at low altitude.
Aerodynamic stall

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Apr 1994 Cessna 172F accident near Arlington, CA?

A student pilot inadvertently stalled an aircraft during a training maneuver, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and a nose-over landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Apr 1994 involved a Cessna 172F, registration N5709R, operated by Paradise Aviation, at Arlington, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot's failure to respond to instructor commands and the improper maintenance of a nose-up attitude during a simulated forced landing maneuver led to an inadvertent stall at low altitude.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01136. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.