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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 30, 2012 · Piper PA-28-181 · N309PA

Wickenburg, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Wickenburg, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N309PA
Operator
Transpac Aviation Academy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12CA380

The flight instructor said that during a landing, the student pilot flared too high and that he then took over control of the airplane. The airplane landed hard, and the tail tie-down hook struck the runway and was displaced into the fuselage, substantially damaging the aft bulkhead. Although the instructor conducted a postflight inspection of the airplane, the damage was not discovered at the time. When the flight instructor performed the next takeoff, he noticed that the elevator flight control was sluggish and minimally responsive, and the airplane’s climb performance was poor. The flight instructor landed the airplane without further incident. The damage was discovered during a subsequent inspection. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have affected normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s delayed response in correcting the student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor said that during a landing, the student pilot flared too high, and he took control of the airplane. The airplane landed hard, and the tail tie down hook was displaced into the fuselage. Although the instructor conducted a post flight inspection of the airplane, the damage was not discovered. The flight instructor performed the next takeoff, and he noticed that the elevator flight control was sluggish and minimally responsive. Additionally, the climb performance was poor. He landed the airplane without further incident. Another inspection of the airplane was performed, and the damage was discovered.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN309PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTranspac Aviation Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter29.73 inHg
Observation Time22:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data