Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Washington, DC
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfg
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Accident Number: GAA16CA077
Date & Time: 12/10/2015, 2000 EST
Registration: N432FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of visual reference
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that during the student pilot's first night flight, the lesson was to familiarize the student with flying at night, and included takeoffs and landings. The flight instructor reported that during landing, the student pilot held the approach path "for a while" then drifted below the approach path, as indicated by the visual approach slope indicator. The flight instructor told the student that he needed to climb and reestablish the airplane on the approach path.
The flight instructor reported that subsequently he (the instructor) "became confused" and could not determine the airplane's position relative to the runway. The flight instructor reported that he "snapped out of the condition", but the airplane collided with trees and impacted the ground short of the runway before a recovery could be made. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's descent below the prescribed final approach path at night, and flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's descent, which resulted in a collision with trees and impact with the ground.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)
Lack of action - Instructor/check pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final
not used
Loss of visual reference (Defining event)
Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Landing-flare/touchdown
Landing gear collapse
Part(s) separation from AC
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 80, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/02/2014
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/31/2015
Flight Time: (Estimated) 7506 hours (Total, all aircraft), 250 hours (Total, this make and model), 7300 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 28.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Student Pilot Information
Certificate: Student
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 15 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model), 0 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 11.1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3.9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N432FL
Model/Series: PA 28 140
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-7125219
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/10/2015, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2150 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 10000 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2A
Registered Owner: PATUXENT RIVER NAVY FLYING CLUB
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: PATUXENT RIVER NAVY FLYING CLUB
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KNHK, 40 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0052 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 99°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 25000 ft agl
Visibility: 9 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1930 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: ST MARY'S COUNTY RGNL (2W6)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 141 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 11
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4150 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.316944, -76.558611 (est)
An airplane listed in aviation records as owned by the Patuxent River Navy Flying Club crashed last week near a runway at the St. Mary’s Regional Airport.
According to those familiar with the incident, no one was hurt in the crash that occurred Thursday, December 10, around 10 p.m.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.somdnews.com
I learned to fly and soloed this Cherokee in 1971. It was a brand new airplane. Very sad to see her like thuis....
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