Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA11CA205

Statesville, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N32SF

CESSNA 172M

Analysis

The certified flight instructor stated that during an instructional flight he and his student departed a private grass strip on runway 22. They climbed to 800 feet and turned left toward the airport in order to simulate an engine out emergency. The instructor reduced the power and the student pilot turned back towards the grass strip to land on runway 4. During the final approach to landing, the airplane encountered a tailwind and, in an attempt to go-around, the airplane collided with trees at the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and wings. The pilots reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The nearest airport’s weather observation system reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 210 degrees at 6 knots.

Factual Information

The certificated flight instructor stated that during an instructional flight, he and his student departed a private grass strip on runway 22. They climbed to 800 feet and turned left toward the airport in order to simulate an engine out emergency. The instructor reduced the power and the student pilot turned back towards the grass strip to land on runway 4. During the final approach, the airplane encountered a tailwind, and in an attempt to go-around the airplane collided with trees at the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall, fuselage, and wings. The pilots reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The nearest airport's weather observation system reported at the time of the accident; wind from 210 degrees at 6 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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