PIPER PA 32-300 near Brazoria, TX — 2015-07-14

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to arrest the descent in a timely manner and the flight instructor's failure to safely intervene in the routine training maneuver for reasons that could not be determined based on the information available.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were conducting a local instructional flight. Radar data showed that, after takeoff, the airplane flew on a southwesterly heading and reached about 2,300 ft. The airplane then entered a gradual descent, which continued for about 2 minutes until the airplane was at 1,900 ft. About 20 seconds later, the airplane entered a descending left turn from 1,300 ft. The last radar target was recorded at 600 ft, at which point the airplane had turned about 270° onto a northwesterly heading. The radar data are consistent with the flight instructor retarding the throttle to simulate a power loss and the student entering a left turn in search of suitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. Evidence on scene and witness marks on the airplane were consistent with the airplane hitting a tree before impacting the ground. Control continuity was established to all the flight control surfaces. Examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. It is possible that the student and flight instructor were distracted by the simulated emergency and failed to arrest the descent before impact with trees. In this accident, the experienced flight instructor failed to safely carry out a routine training maneuver, a simulated forced landing. He had significant levels of two impairing substances in his system at the time (doxylamine and phentermine). Although not conclusive, it is possible that impairing effects of the flight instructor's use of the combination of two psychoactive substances contributed to his failure to intervene in a timely manner to prevent the accident.

NTSB coding

• Simulated/training event · Enroute-cruise
• Delayed Action

Evidence available

• ADS-B / radar
• Photos
• 14 docket documents

Docket documents14

• ATC Radar Data Tabularatc
• ATC Radar Plots, N555PKatc
• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Witness Statementsinterview
• Certification of Party Representative to NTSB Investigationother
• Fuel Receiptother
• Maps of Accident Areaother
• Report Photosphotos
• Gasoline Fuel Quality Test Reportreport
• Medical Factual Report, Finalreport
• NTSB Specialist's Factual Report, Electronic Devicesreport
• Toxicological Reportsreport
• Weather Reports and Records Pertinent to the Investigationreport
• Wreckage Diagramswreckage

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