NTSB Finds Wyoming Student Pilot Caused Hard Landing

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that pilot error led to a hard landing of a small plane flown by a student pilot in northern Wyoming last July.

Three people were in the Cessna at the time, but all escaped without serious injury. The plane was damaged.

The plane had lifted off from Cody's Yellowstone Regional Airport and was in the air for about an hour before crashing while attempting a landing at Powell Municipal Airport on July 24.

According to the six-page NTSB report, the pilot of the craft was a 65-year-old student pilot under the tutelage of a 74-year-old instructor, and a third person was in the plane as a passenger.

The student had an estimated 280 flight hours logged.