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June 3, 1999 · Piper PA-38-112 · N4273E

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N4273E
Operator
Moonstar Flight Academy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA095

While conducting a visual approach to land in gusting crosswinds, the dual student failed to maintain control of the aircraft. The flight instructor, who had 25 hours flight experience as an instructor, attempted to perform a go-around and the aircraft impacted the ground beside the runway of intended landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate remedial action by the pilot in command (CFI) after the student failed to maintain control of the aircraft during the final stages of a visual approach to land. Factors were gusting crosswinds and the flight instructor's lack of total instructional experience.

Full Narrative

On June 3, 1999, at 1730 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N4273E, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground during a go-around at May Field, Houston, Texas. The certified flight instructor and his student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area instructional flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from David Wayne Hooks Field, Spring, Texas, at 1620. According to the flight instructor, the student was flying and a crosswind caused him to lose control. During the attempted go-around, the aircraft struck the ground. The flight instructor reported he had 365 hours total flight experience with 25 hours as a flight instructor and 24 hours as a flight instructor in the accident make and model aircraft. The student reported he had 160 hours total flight experience with 17 hours in the accident make and model aircraft and 4 hours as pilot in command in the accident make and model. The closest weather reporting station was at David Wayne Hooks Field, Spring, Texas located approximately 4 miles from the accident site. Weather at that facility at 1753 indicated the winds were from 160 degrees at 10 knots with no gusts reported. The flight instructor reported the winds at May Field were from 230 degrees at 10 with gusts to 20 at the time of the accident. Both the instructor and the weather station indicated there were scattered clouds at 4,000 to 5,000 feet. The landing was being made on runway 17.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest AirportHouston - May (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3440 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN4273E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMoonstar Flight Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data