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March 3, 2008 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8400A

Chandler, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chandler, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8400A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA08LA085

The dual student was practicing a simulated engine-out landing, with the intention of executing a go-around during the last part of the final approach. Although the operator's procedures called for the initiation of a go-around no lower than 300 feet above ground level (agl), the flight instructor did not call for the go-around until the airplane was about 100 feet agl. To initiate the go-around, the student pushed the throttle to the full-forward position, whereupon the engine momentarily coughed, and the airplane continued to sink. Just as the engine accelerated to full power, the airplane struck the ground on rough/uneven terrain. The accident sequence resulted in both external and internal damage to both wings. After the accident, the engine was started and run at various power settings, and no anomalies were found that would have kept it from correctly responding to a full-throttle power application.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's delay in initiating the go-around, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident were the momentary failure of the engine to respond, the failure of both the student and the instructor to adhere to the operator's procedures, and the rough/uneven terrain.

Full Narrative

On March 3, 2008, about 0840 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8400A, impacted the terrain during a go-around from a simulated engine-out landing about 11 miles south of Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. The certified flight instructor and his student were not injured, but the airplane, which is owned and operated by Chandler Air Service, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, which departed Chandler Municipal Airport about 50 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the flight instructor, his student was practicing a simulated engine-out landing, with the intention of executing a go-around during the last part of the final approach. According to telephone conversations with both the instructor and the student, the go-around was initiated when the airplane was about 100 feet above ground level (agl). To initiate the go-around, the student pushed the throttle to the full-forward position, whereupon the engine momentarily coughed/chocked, and the airplane continued to sink. Just as the engine accelerated to full power, the airplane struck the ground on rough/uneven terrain. The accident sequence resulted in both external and internal damage to both wings. After the accident, the engine was started and run at various power settings, and no anomalies were found that would have kept it from correctly responding to a full-throttle power application. During the investigation it was determined that the operator's procedure for all simulated engine-out activity is for the flight instructor pilot to call for the initiation of a go-around no lower than 300 feet agl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 MST
Nearest AirportChandler Municipal (11nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8400A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 27 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data