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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

February 6, 2019 · Piper PA46 350P · N997MA

Aurora, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Aurora, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA46 350P (1997)
Tail Number
N997MA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19TA085

The pilot reported that the purpose of the instructional flight was to practice commercial pilot maneuvers. He and the instructor returned to the airport at the conclusion of the flight and discussed how to conduct a power-off 180° approach and landing. When the airplane was abeam the 1,000-foot markings on the runway, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and started a left turn toward the runway. He stated that he realized the airplane was “probably not going to make the runway” and that the airplane was “not on final course.” He recalled the airplane turning sharply to the left as he pulled up on the control yoke and added right rudder. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. A video of the event showed the airplane in a left turn as it descended toward the runway. The airplane’s left bank decreased to a wings-level attitude before the airplane entered a steeper left bank, followed immediately by a right bank as the airplane descended into the ground short of the runway. Both the pilot's description and the video are consistent with the pilot exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering toward the runway, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and impact with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering for landing during a simulated power-off approach and landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control and the flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot.

Full Narrative

On February 6, 2019, about 1530 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA 46-350P, N997MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Aurora, Oregon. The private pilot and flight instructor were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice commercial pilot maneuvers. After practicing slow flight, chandelles, lazy eights, and eights on pylons, they returned to the airport and discussed how to conduct a practice a power-off 180° landing as they entered the traffic pattern. When the airplane was abeam the 1,000-foot runway markings, the pilot reduced the power to idle and started a left turn toward the runway. He stated that he realized that the airplane was “probably not going to make the runway” and that the airplane was “not on final course.” He recalled the airplane turning sharply to the left as he was pulled up on the control yoke and added right rudder. He could not recall whether he applied power. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. A video of the event showed the airplane in a left turn as it descended toward the runway. The airplane’s left bank decreased to a wings-level attitude before the airplane entered a steeper left bank, followed immediately by a right bank as the airplane descended into the ground short of the runway. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 PST
Nearest AirportAurora State Airport (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length5003 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA46 350P
Tail NumberN997MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 70 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data