FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Hard Landing Following Stall During Night Approach (N758ND)

Hawthorne, CA, US

On May 21, 2004, a Cessna R172K (registration N758ND) was involved in an aviation accident near Hawthorne, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudged flare and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall and hard landing. Factors in the accident were the night conditions and the pilot's lack of familiarity in the make and model of airplane. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot with 3.5 hours of experience in the aircraft type flared higher than normal, causing a stall 10 feet above the runway. The nose dropped and the nose wheel impacted hard during night conditions.

Accident Sequence

The landing was conducted in night conditions. The pilot reported that during the flare, he initiated the flare at a higher altitude than he normally would. Subsequently, the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall approximately 10 feet above the runway. As a result of the stall, the airplane's nose dropped abruptly. The nose landing gear then contacted the runway surface with significant impact. The entire sequence occurred during a night approach.

Pilot Experience

The pilot's experience in the accident aircraft type was limited to 3.5 hours. This information comes from the pilot's report. No other pilot experience details are available.

Mechanical Condition

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane before the accident. The aircraft had been operating normally. No failures or malfunctions were noted.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 May 2004 Cessna R172K accident near Hawthorne, CA?

A pilot with 3.5 hours of experience in the aircraft type flared higher than normal, causing a stall 10 feet above the runway. The nose dropped and the nose wheel impacted hard during night conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 May 2004 Cessna R172K accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 May 2004 involved a Cessna R172K, registration N758ND, at Hawthorne, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's misjudged flare and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall and hard landing. Factors in the accident were the night conditions and the pilot's lack of familiarity in the make and model of airplane.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040616X00822. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.