Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary WPR12CA008

Cornelius, OR, USA

Aircraft #1

N52013

CESSNA 172P

Analysis

During the training flight, the certified flight instructor (CFI) initiated a simulated engine power failure. The student pilot responded by establishing a glide speed of 65 knots and maneuvering to a nearby grass runway. During the final approach segment, with twenty degrees of flaps, the student pilot entered a slip and landed uneventfully. However, during the landing roll, the airplane hit a “hole or obstacle” and then bounced. The CFI applied power, aborted the landing, and returned to the departure airport. The aft fuselage sustained structural damage and skin deformation. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Factual Information

The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that during the training flight he initiated a simulated engine power failure. The student pilot trimmed the airplane for a glide speed of 65 knots and maneuvered to a nearby grass runway. During the final approach segment, with twenty-degrees of flaps, the student pilot entered a slip. The CFI reported that shortly thereafter the airplane landed. He reported that during the landing roll the airplane hit a “hole or obstacle” and the airplane bounced. The CFI applied power and aborted the landing. After returning to the departure airport, structural damage and skin deformation was discovered to the aft fuselage. The operator reported damage to longerons and an aft bulkhead. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The airplane’s encounter with an unseen hole or obstacle on the grass runway.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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