Pilot Debrief

BEECH B19 near Whitesburg, GA — 2011-08-18

Final reportERA11FA462
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Date
2011-08-18
Location
Whitesburg, GA, USA
Airport
5GA2
Aircraft
BEECH B19
Registration
N281G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot did not retract the wing flaps during a go-around, which decreased the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the student pilot perform a go-around a few feet above the landing surface, about one-third of the way down the runway. They reported that the engine sounded normal; however, the airplane was not climbing and accelerating as expected. Several witnesses reported that the wing flaps remained extended during the go-around. The airplane collided with trees at the departure end of the runway and crashed into a cemetery. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. Rotational damage to the propeller indicated that the engine was producing power at impact. Examination of the flap motor jack screw revealed that the flaps were extended about 30 degrees at impact. The Pilot's Operating Handbook procedures stated that the flaps must be raised during a balked landing (go-around).

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the approach earlier to avoid collision with trees.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 27 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents27

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