Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 22-150 near Talkeetna, AK — 2015-05-16

Final reportANC15CA026
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Date
2015-05-16
Location
Talkeetna, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA 22-150
Registration
N7347D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The private pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a spruce tree during final approach, which resulted in a loss of control and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the landing.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and private pilot were practicing takeoffs and landings in a float-equipped airplane. The flight instructor stated that on the seventh approach to landing, the private pilot misjudged the airplane's rate of descent, and struck the top of a spruce tree with the right elevator resulting in a full up deflection of the elevator. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent, and impacted the water in a flat stalled condition sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and elevator. The flight instructor stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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