Accident · 2026-01-07
What the record says
- Event date
- 2026-01-07
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Minor injury
- Aircraft
- CESSNA 172 (N5136E)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- U.S. Aviation Academy Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- US Aviation Academy
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the elevator trim for the takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to follow the before takeoff checklist.
Source: NTSB case CEN26LA092Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight instructor pilot flying | Flight instructor / Commercial | Airplane | 38 | Class 1 (2024-02-01) | 564 total · 515 in this make/model · 357 as PIC · 185 last 90 days |
| Pilot | Flight instructor / Commercial | Helicopter | 31 | Class 3 (2025-11-03) | 1,199.8 total · 23 in this make/model · 535.4 as PIC · 23 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.