Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX94LA230

CHINO, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N4810T

PIPER PA-34-200

Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HIS STUDENT WAS PERFORMING A PRACTICE SINGLE-ENGINE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 26 WITH THE RIGHT ENGINE SET AT ZERO THRUST. THE AIRCRAFT WAS HIGH AND HAD DRIFTED OVER THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR COMMANDED THE STUDENT TO GO-AROUND. ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR, THE STUDENT BROUGHT UP BOTH THROTTLES; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIRCRAFT YAWED AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED TO A STOP. THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND EXAMINED BY A FAA CERTIFIED AIRFRAME AND POWER PLANT MECHANIC. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED DURING THE EXAMINATION.

Factual Information

On May 30, 1994, at 2021 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA34-200, N4810T, collided with the ground following a loss of control during a simulated single-engine approach and go-around at the Chino, California, airport. The aircraft was operated by Air Desert Pacific Corporation of La Verne, California, and was engaged in a local area instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor and the pilot under training for a multiengine class rating were not injured. The flight originated at the La Verne, California, airport on the day of the accident at 1830 as a local area instructional flight. In a telephone interview, the flight instructor reported that his student was performing a practice single-engine ILS approach to runway 26 with the right engine set at zero thrust. The aircraft was high and had drifted over the right edge of the runway when the instructor commanded the student to go-around. According to the instructor, the student brought up both throttles; however, the right engine failed to respond. The aircraft yawed and rolled to the right, the right wing tip struck the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled to a stop. The right engine was removed from the aircraft and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified airframe and power plant mechanic. The report of the examination is attached to this report. No discrepancies were noted during the examination.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE RIGHT ENGINE'S FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE COMMAND DURING A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT, AND BOTH PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT BY THE CFI IS ALSO CONSIDERED A CAUSE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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