FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Student Pilot Hard Landing Leads to Porpoising and Damage (N586FL)

Lehighton, PA, US

On October 23, 2004, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N586FL) operated by Ace Pilot Training was involved in an aviation accident near Lehighton, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadequate flare, and failure to recover from a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 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 a hard landing and subsequent porpoising that resulted in damage to the nose gear, propeller, and engine firewall. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Incident Overview

A student pilot was conducting a landing on a 3,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide asphalt runway. According to the pilot's report, the airplane touched down hard and then began to porpoise. The aircraft subsequently came to a stop on the runway.

Damage Sustained

After the event, damage was noted to the nose gear, propeller, and engine firewall. The extent of the damage was limited to these components.

Pilot Experience and Statement

The student pilot reported a total flight experience of 39.6 hours, including 1.7 hours of solo flight. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane were experienced during the flight or landing.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Oct 2004 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Lehighton, PA?

A student pilot reported a hard landing and subsequent porpoising that resulted in damage to the nose gear, propeller, and engine firewall. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Oct 2004 Piper PA-28-140 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Oct 2004 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N586FL, operated by Ace Pilot Training, at Lehighton, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot inadequate flare, and failure to recover from a bounced landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20041109X01793. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.