Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC09CA016

Girdwood, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N453SP

CESSNA 172S

Analysis

The private pilot/student, seated in the left seat, and the certified flight instructor, seated in the right seat, departed on a visual flight rules flight for mountain flying instruction and an Aero Club airplane checkout. The instructor decided to have the pilot land at an airport that had a 2,088 foot long runway. The first approach to the airport was high and fast, and the landing approach was aborted. On the second approach, the airplane was again high and fast, and touched down about 600 to 800 feet beyond the runway threshold. The runway surface was compacted snow and ice, and the braking action was poor. The airplane collided with a snow berm at the end of the runway, and received substantial damage to the landing gear and fuselage. The flight instructor did not take control of the airplane at any time before or during the accident sequence.

Factual Information

The private certificated pilot/student, seated in the left seat, and the certified flight instructor, seated in the right seat, departed on a VFR instructional flight for the purpose of mountain flying instruction, and an Aero Club airplane checkout. The instructor decided to have the pilot land at an airport that had a 2,088 foot long runway. The first approach to the airport was high and fast, and the landing approach was aborted. On the second approach, the airplane was again high and fast (75 knots), and touched down about 600 to 800 feet beyond the runway threshold. The runway surface was compacted snow and ice, and the braking action was poor. The airplane collided with a snow berm at the end of the runway, and received structural damage to the landing gear and fuselage. The flight instructor did not take control of the airplane at any time before or during the accident sequence.

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight instructor's lack of action to correct a high and fast landing approach which resulted in a long landing, and subsequent collision with a snow berm at the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper approach.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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