Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN10CA154

Maple Lake, MN, USA

Aircraft #1

N5418L

Grumman American AA-5

Analysis

The pilot attempted a simulated forced landing at the airport by entering the traffic pattern for a landing on runway 28 during an instructional flight. During final approach, the pilot realized that the airplane was not going to reach the runway and attempted a go-around. The airplane impacted the ground about 700 feet short of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the structure underlying the nose landing gear. The pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane had not been registered since its purchase by the current owner.

Factual Information

The pilot attempted a simulated forced landing at the airport by entering the traffic pattern for a landing on runway 28 (2,796 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) during an instructional flight. During final approach, the pilot realized the airplane was not going to reach the runway and attempted a go-around. The airplane impacted the ground about 700 feet short of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the airplane structure underlying the nose landing gear. The pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane had not been registered since its purchase by the current aircraft owner. There was no report made of an incident/accident to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or Federal Aviation Administration until March 3, 2010, at which time the pilot contacted the NTSB.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path during a simulated forced landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action to execute a go-around.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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