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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 5, 2001 · Piper PA-28-161 · N240ND

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N240ND
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA305

The airplane sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects during an attempted go around. The instructor and dual student pilot sustained no injuries. The instructor pilot reported, "Add all power for go-around. Aircraft pitch was high ... . On trying to maintain control I lossed control causing left wheel to take out runway lights and touchdown and somehow hit right [ailerons]. Came to full stop between taxiways C-1 [and] C-2. [Wrecking] nose wheel, propeller, [and] [aileron]." The instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or failure. The wind was 180 degrees at 16 knots. The student pilot stated, "We approached the runway and as we came down I flared to land[.] I flared too much and we [ballooned] up." The instructor's safety recommendation stated, "Initiate go around procedure sooner."

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 2001, about 0915 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N240ND, piloted by a certified flight instructor and student pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects during an attempted go around from runway 17L (3,900 feet by 75 feet, dry/concrete) at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The instructional flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The instructor and dual student pilot sustained no injuries. The local flight departed from GFK at 0800 and was attempting a go around at the time of the accident. The instructor pilot reported: On third approach we were high. On short final added 40 [degrees] flaps airspeed was approximately 70-65 kts. Once over the #s student pulled throttle to idle. Started to flare and aircraft [ballooned]. I added some power but that didn't settle aircraft. Add all power for go-around. Aircraft pitch was high ... . On trying to maintain control I lossed control causing left wheel to take out runway lights and touchdown and somehow hit right [ailerons]. Came to full stop between taxiways C-1 [and] C-2. [Wrecking] nose wheel, propeller, [and] [aileron]. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunction or failure. At 0913, the GFK weather was: Wind 180 degrees at 16 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition broken 12,000 feet; temperature 22 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.78 inches of mercury. The student pilot stated, "We approached the runway and as we came down I flared to land[.] I flared too much and we balloned up." The instructor's safety recommendation stated, "Initiate go around procedure sooner."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks Intl (0nm N)
Runway17L
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN240ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 20 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.78 inHg
Observation Time14:13
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data