Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28RT-201 near Chandler, AZ — 2011-09-28

Final reportWPR11CA470
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Date
2011-09-28
Location
Chandler, AZ, USA
Airport
CHD
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28RT-201
Registration
N8056B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The certified flight instructor's and pilot-undergoing-instruction's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot-undergoing-instruction (PUI) completed the landing checklist, but delayed the landing gear extension because they were conducting a 180-degree power-off approach. On final approach, as they were preparing to extend the landing gear, the air traffic controller told them to conduct a go-around because the landing gear was not extended. They extended the landing gear, and the CFI verified three green lights. He then requested permission to land and the tower controller cleared the airplane to land. As the airplane approached the runway, a high sink rate developed. The CFI told the PUI to add power, and the CFI simultaneously started to move the throttle control forward. The CFI said that his hand slipped past the PUI's hand, and he reached again to push the throttle forward when the airplane touched down hard on the runway. They aborted the landing, conducted a low approach to verify the position of the landing gear, and landed uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed rib damage to the left wing. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Delayed landing gear extension during the approach could have prevented the hard landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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