Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN06LA035

Farmington, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N1830V

Beech A36

Analysis

The private pilot in the left seat was working on his commercial pilot certificate, and was receiving instruction from the flight instructor in night takeoffs and landings. On the first landing attempt, the approach and landing speed "looked good" to the instructor. "[The] pilot apparently did not flare sufficiently to avoid [a] hard landing and bounce." The instructor took control of the airplane and brought it to a full stop. One additional takeoff and full stop landing was made by the pilot receiving instruction. The airplane was then secured for the night. The damage was discovered the next morning by another pilot performing a preflight inspection.

Factual Information

On January 25, 2006, approximately 1830 mountain standard time, a Beech A36, N1830V, registered to MPD, Inc., and doing business as Mesa Pilot Development, was substantially damaged when it made a hard landing at Farmington Municipal Airport (FMN), Farmington, New Mexico. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and the commercial certificated flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated approximately 1815. According to MPD, Inc., the private pilot in the left seat was working on his commercial pilot certificate, and was receiving instruction from the flight instructor in night takeoffs and landings. On the first landing attempt, the approach to runway 7 and landing speed "looked good" to the instructor. "[The] pilot apparently did not flare sufficiently to avoid [a] hard landing and bounce." The instructor took control of the airplane and brought it to a full stop. One additional takeoff and full stop landing was made by the pilot receiving instruction. The airplane was then secured for the night. The damage was discovered the next morning by another pilot performing a preflight inspection. The left wing was bent up, the upper skin was rippled and wrinkled, and the aileron was buckled. There were scrape marks underneath the left wing tip.

Probable Cause and Findings

the student pilot's improper flare, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot, and the dark night light conditions.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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