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NTSB Report

September 21, 2011 · Piper PA-28-161 · N9249L

Okeechobee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Okeechobee, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N9249L
Operator
Flightsafety International
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA497

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the student pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and reduced the power to idle when the airplane was abeam the runway numbers in order to perform a power-off landing. The airplane slowed to glide speed, and the student pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps and turned onto the base leg. After turning onto final approach, the airplane's airspeed decreased to below 60 knots, and the CFI advised the student pilot to perform a go-around. The CFI then took control of the airplane to prevent an "imminent stall" and applied full power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane struck trees and a fence and then impacted the ground. The CFI subsequently reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. However, the airplane struck another fence, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest in a grassy area to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the accident sequence. The CFI did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during a power-off landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

According to the flight instructor, he and the student pilot were on the second leg of a cross country flight when the student pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at an intermediate airport. The flight instructor directed the student pilot to perform a power-off landing, and power was reduced to idle when the airplane was abeam the runway numbers. The airplane slowed to glide speed, and the student pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps and turned it to the base leg of the traffic pattern. After turning onto the final leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane's airspeed decreased to below 60 knots, and the flight instructor advised the student pilot to perform a go around. The flight instructor then took control of the airplane to prevent an "imminent stall" and applied full power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane struck trees and a fence, then impacted the ground. The flight instructor subsequently reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. However, the airplane struck another fence, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest in a grassy area to the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the accident sequence. The flight instructor did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest AirportOkeechobee County Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN9249L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlightsafety International
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 31 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data