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NTSB Report

February 8, 2003 · Beech C23 · N6555R

Pagosa Springs, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pagosa Springs, CO
Aircraft
Beech C23
Tail Number
N6555R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA042

After the airplane took off and climbed about 60 feet, the instructor simulated a power loss by reducing the power to idle. The student made a "hard landing" and the airplane began drifting to the left. The instructor assumed control of the airplane but was unable to realign it with the runway. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and the left wheel broke off. It crossed a small ditch, shearing off the landing gear.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the student pilot's improper flare, the instructor's inadequate remedial actions, and terrain conditions.

Full Narrative

On February 8, 2003, approximately 1145 mountain standard time, a Beech C23, N6555R, registered to and operated by the flight instructor, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a hard landing at Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Pagosa Springs approximately 0930. According to the flight instructor, after practicing stalls, steep turns, and simulated engine failures, they flew to Durango, Colorado, landed and refueled. They departed and returned to Pagosa Springs to practice traffic pattern emergencies. Runway 19 was the active runway. To simulate a power loss, the instructor reduced power to idle when the airplane was on the downwind leg, and the student pilot landed without incident. After practicing several other emergencies, they took off again. When the airplane had climbed about 60 feet, the instructor reduced power to idle to simulated a power loss on takeoff. The student made a "hard landing" and the airplane began drifting to the left. The instructor assumed control of the airplane but was unable to realign it with the runway. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and the left wheel broke off. It crossed a small ditch, sheared off the landing gear. The airplane collapsed, damaged both flaps, buckled the firewall, and bent the right rear horizontal stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MST
Nearest AirportStevens Field (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length8500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech C23
Tail NumberN6555R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4J · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 40 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.30 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data