Pilot Debrief

AEROVODOCHODY L 29 DELFIN near Moriarty, NM — 2018-06-08

Final reportCEN18LA218
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Date
2018-06-08
Location
Moriarty, NM, USA
Airport
0E0
Aircraft
AEROVODOCHODY L 29 DELFIN
Registration
N4323N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a visual approach and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in ground impact before the runway.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was receiving his second training flight after purchasing the vintage single-engine, turbine-powered airplane. While on a visual approach, the pilot flew below the glidepath with a slow airspeed and allowed a sink rate to develop. Subsequently, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and applied full engine power; however, the airplane continued to settle and impacted terrain 1/2 mile short of the runway. The flight instructor stated that he had "let his guard down" during the final approach and had not intervened quickly enough because the airplane descended below the glidepath. The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action allowed the airplane to descend and hit terrain short of the runway.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Flight instructor should have intervened sooner during final approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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