Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-161 near Okeechobee, FL — 2011-09-21

Final reportERA11CA497
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Date
2011-09-21
Location
Okeechobee, FL, USA
Airport
OBE
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-161
Registration
N9249L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during a power-off landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

NTSB narrative

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the student pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and reduced the power to idle when the airplane was abeam the runway numbers in order to perform a power-off landing. The airplane slowed to glide speed, and the student pilot selected 10 degrees of flaps and turned onto the base leg. After turning onto final approach, the airplane's airspeed decreased to below 60 knots, and the CFI advised the student pilot to perform a go-around. The CFI then took control of the airplane to prevent an "imminent stall" and applied full power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane struck trees and a fence and then impacted the ground. The CFI subsequently reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. However, the airplane struck another fence, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest in a grassy area to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the accident sequence. The CFI did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have initiated go-around earlier to prevent stall.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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