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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 12, 2017 · Piper PA 28 181 · N288PA

Gila Bend, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Gila Bend, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA 28 181 (2002)
Tail Number
N288PA
Operator
Bird Acquisition
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA189

The flight instructor reported that he and two student pilots were on a night, visual flight rules, instructional flight. The instructor tried to activate the pilot-controlled lighting at the destination airport, but he believed that it was inoperative. He reported that he could see the wind sock on the airfield but that he did not see the "X" near the runway numbers and performed a touch and go. During rotation the instructor reported that, "I heard a red cone make impact with the nose gear section." He had to apply continuous forward pressure to the yoke because the nose continued to pitch up with the trim set to the full-down position. He asserted that the flight characteristics were "acceptable" and continued the flight about 47 nautical miles to their home airport. Upon arrival, the instructor alerted the tower that he had a stabilator malfunction and landed the airplane with zero flaps. The instructor reported that he did not check the notices to airmen (NOTAM). The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to Federal Aviation Administration NOTAM 03/058, the airport runways were closed at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s failure to review the notices to airmen related to the airport, which resulted in his landing on a closed runway and the airplane striking runway closed markers.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that he and two student pilots were on a night, visual flight rules, instructional flight. The instructor tried to activate the pilot controlled lighting at the destination airport, but he believed that it was inoperative. He reported that he could see the wind sock on the airfield but he did not see the "X" near the runway numbers and performed a touch and go. During rotation the instructor reported that, "I heard a red cone make impact with the nose gear section." He had to apply continuous forward pressure to the yoke because the nose continued to pitch up with the trim set to the full down position. He asserted that the flight characteristics were "acceptable" and continued the flight about 47 nautical miles to their home airport. Upon arrival, the instructor alerted tower that he had a stabilator malfunction and landed the airplane with zero flaps. The instructor reported that he did not check the Notices to Airman. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to Federal Aviation Administration NOTAM 03/058, the airport runways were closed at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 MST
Nearest AirportGila Bend Muni (0nm NNE)
Runway22
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 28 181
Tail NumberN288PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBird Acquisition
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 24 · Third Class · None
Crew 3None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind330° @ 3 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time01:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data