Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC08CA040

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N4396T

Piper PA-28-140

Analysis

During an instructional flight the student pilot slipped the Piper PA-28-140 in order to lose altitude while on final approach for landing. After reaching a "reasonable approach altitude" the student then realigned the airplane and continued the final approach. During the flare, the student "flared way too much," and the airplane ballooned. The instructor then "grabbed" the controls and added full power in an attempt to recover. According to the instructor, the airplane was so close to the ground at this point that it did not have time to climb out. The instructor then "chose" to touchdown in the grass to the left of the runway, substantially damaging the airplane.

Factual Information

During an instructional flight the student pilot slipped the Piper PA-28-140 in order to lose altitude while on final approach for landing. After reaching a "reasonable approach altitude" the student then realigned the airplane and continued the final approach. During the flare, the student "flared way too much," and the airplane ballooned. The instructor then "grabbed" the controls and added full power in an attempt to recover. According to the instructor, the airplane was so close to the ground at this point that it did not have time to climb out. The instructor then "chose" to touch down to the left of the runway in the grass. During rollout, the nose gear collapsed, and the firewall was substantially damaged.

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action and failure to maintain runway alignment.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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