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NTSB Report

May 14, 2011 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N204ND

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N204ND
Operator
University of North Dakota
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA390

The flight instructor reported that his student was practicing a simulated forced landing to a runway when the accident occurred. He stated that, after a firm touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right. He noted that the right wing was lower than the left wing and his initial thought was that the right tire was flat. After coming to a stop, the airplane would not move forward without an excessive application of engine power. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main landing gear had collapsed rearward, with substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Examination of the right main landing gear did not reveal any preimpact anomalies or failures that would have prevented normal operation. Interviews of recent flight crews did not reveal any hard landings that could have damaged the right main landing gear before the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the landing, which resulted in an inadequate flare and subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 2011, at 1430 central daylight time, a Piper model PA-28R-201 airplane, N204ND, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK), Grand Forks, North Dakota. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the University of North Dakota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local instructional flight originated from KGFK at 1300. The flight instructor reported that his student was practicing a simulated forced landing to runway 35L when the accident occurred. The student, who was obtaining instruction toward a flight instructor certificate, was flying from the right seat. The flight instructor stated that after a "firm" touchdown the airplane began to veer to the right. He noted that the right wing was lower than the left wing and his initial thought was that the right tire was flat. After coming to a stop, the airplane would not move forward without an excessive application of engine power. The engine was shut down and the flight crew notified the control tower that they required a tow to the ramp. After exiting the airplane the flight instructor noticed that the right main landing gear had collapsed rearward during the landing. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The right main landing gear strut assembly was observed to be fully extended at the accident site; however, when examined by the operator the strut assembly did not exhibit any material failure, corrosion, or binding. Interviews of recent flight crews did not reveal any hard landings that could have damaged the right main landing gear before the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (0nm)
Runway35L
Runway Length7349 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN204ND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniversity of North Dakota
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 22 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 15 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 28 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data