Pilot Debrief

Piper PA46 near Springhill, LA — 2018-07-03

Final reportCEN18LA257
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Date
2018-07-03
Location
Springhill, LA, USA
Airport
SPH
Aircraft
Piper PA46
Registration
N689KC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an improper go-around procedure which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

During landing, the airplane bounced, and the pilot applied power to go around. The pilot reported that the engine did not produce full power and the airplane began to slow down. Onboard data indicated that the pilot accelerated the airplane to a maximum speed of 70 kts before he retracted the flaps; the airplane rolled right and impacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operation. The airplane's published stall speed in the landing configuration was 60 knots; and 69 kts with landing gear and flaps retracted. The procedure for a go-around included retracting the wing flaps incrementally after attaining an airspeed of 80 kts. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot's failure to attain the proper airspeed during the go-around, and his improper decision to fully retract the wing flaps before attaining adequate airspeed, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall, and impact with the runway.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing earlier to avoid go-around issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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