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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 14, 1996 · Piper PA-44 · N853ND

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-44
Tail Number
N853ND
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA202

The instructor reported that he was attempting to demonstrate a rejected takeoff. Instead of initiating the maneuver during takeoff roll he attempted to initiate the maneuver on final approach to the runway. The instructor entered the maneuver from 150 feet AGL at 70 to 80 KIAS. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced power on both engines to idle and applied forward elevator, establishing a descent for landing. He started to 'round the airplane out about 30 to 50 feet above the runway.' The descent rate was too high, so he continued to increase the pitch. He reported the stall horn sounded 'only milliseconds' before the airplane impacted the runway. The instructor reported the demonstration he performed of a rejected takeoff was not a recognized or an approved maneuver. He reported that the he had never had this maneuver demonstrated to him.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor pilot used an improper procedure when he demonstrated a rejected takeoff and he misjudged the flare.

Full Narrative

On June 14, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-44, N853ND, operated by the University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, North Dakota, was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The flight instructor was demonstrating a rejected takeoff and had initiated the maneuver from 150 feet above the runway. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed runway 17R at Grand Forks Mark Andrews International Airport on a local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The instructor reported that he was attempting to demonstrate a rejected takeoff. However, instead of initiating the maneuver during the takeoff roll and aborting the takeoff on the runway, the instructor initiated the maneuver while on the final approach to the runway. The instructor reported that he made an approach to runway 17R with the airplane descending to about 150 feet AGL at 75 to 80 KIAS. The airplane was configured with the landing gear down and zero degrees flaps. About 100 yards from the runway threshold, he applied power and raised the nose. He reported that as the airplane crossed the threshold, he reduced power on both engines to idle and applied forward elevator establishing a descent for landing. The instructor pilot reported that he started to "round the airplane out about 30 to 50 feet above the runway." The descent rate was too high, so he continued to increase the pitch. He reported that the stall horn sounded "only milliseconds" before the airplane impacted the runway. The airplane started skidding down the runway and the pilots shut off the engines. The pilots evacuated the airplane after it came to a stop and the airplane had been secured. The instructor reported the demonstration he performed of a rejected takeoff was not a recognized or an approved maneuver. He reported that the he had never had this maneuver demonstrated to him. Additionally, this was the first time that he had attempted to demonstrate the maneuver.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (0nm)
Runway17R
Runway Length7349 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-44
Tail NumberN853ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1H6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 13 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data