Pilot Debrief

AERO COMMANDER 100 near Texarkana, AR — 2023-12-18

Final reportCEN24LA069
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Date
2023-12-18
Location
Texarkana, AR, USA
Airport
TXK
Aircraft
AERO COMMANDER 100
Registration
N4104X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to attempt a go-around with full flaps extended, which resulted in decreased climb performance and led to a collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor, who was at the flight controls, and the student pilot departed runway 31 and entered the left traffic pattern. The instructor reported that during the pattern, he lost situational awareness and aligned the airplane on final approach for runway 4 with full flaps extended. Upon realizing his error, he applied full power and turned right to enter the downwind for runway 31, but he did not retract the flaps. The airplane was unable to climb and impacted a heavily wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and horizontal stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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