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May 8, 2018 · Piper PA 34-200 200 · N99GN

Valparaiso, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2018
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Valparaiso, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA 34-200 200 (1972)
Tail Number
N99GN
Operator
Griffith Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA165

The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were conducting multiple approaches to the airport. During a simulated engine-out go-around, when the pilot advanced the throttle of the operating engine to full power, he allowed the airspeed to drop below the single-engine minimum controllable airspeed. Subsequently, the pilot lost airplane control, and the airplane descended and impacted terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The instructor should have been monitoring the pilot's airspeed control and his failure to do so contributed to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain a safe operating airspeed, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to monitor the pilot's airspeed control.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2018, about 1315 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200 airplane, N99GN, collided with terrain following a go-around at the Porter County Airport (KVPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana. The flight instructor was seriously injured and the pilot receiving instruction had minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Griffith Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight departed Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), Griffith, Indiana, about 1000.According to information provided by representatives from the Griffith Aviation Inc. flight school, the pilot receiving instruction was performing approaches to KVPZ. The second approach was a simulated engine out approach to a planned go-around. During the go-around, the airplane's speed dropped below the single-engine minimum controlled airspeed as the pilot advanced the throttle of the operating engine to full power. He lost control of the airplane, and the airplane descended and collided with terrain. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage and did not find any preimpact anomalies which would have contributed to the accident. Substantial damage was sustained to the right wing spar and fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EDT
Nearest AirportPorter County Rgnl (0nm SE)
Runway27
Runway Length7001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 34-200 200
Tail NumberN99GN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGriffith Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200 | Lycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 54 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data