Pilot Debrief

GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-9 near Sierra Vista, AZ — 2009-02-19

Final reportDCA09FA028
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Date
2009-02-19
Location
Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
Airport
KFHU
Aircraft
GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-9
Registration
CBP-108
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper flare while landing with a tailwind and the instructor pilot's delayed response.

NTSB narrative

At the time of the accident the flight was operating as a Launch Recovery Element training mission, performing touch-and-go landings on runway 26. Customs and Border Protection had resumed pilot training following a Federal Aviation Administration-imposed suspension as a result of an accident 2 days prior. The accident landing was the seventh of eight planned landings. As the student pilot rotated the aircraft into the landing flare about six feet above the touchdown zone, a tailwind of approximately 9 knots was recorded. The instructor told the student to increase the pitch to arrest the descent rate and increase power to begin a go-around. However, the aircraft touched down hard on the main gear and lower vertical stabilizer and porpoised a number of times. The instructor then took over, executing a go-around and landing with no further incident. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, left main landing gear, vertical fin and the lower cowl. There was no evidence of any preexisting anomalies with the aircraft.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor should have ensured proper flare and power application during landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents8

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