What happened
The incident occurred during a training flight involving a dual-student pilot configuration. During the final approach for landing, the student pilot executed an improper flare maneuver. This error caused the aircraft to balloon upward to an altitude of 15 to 20 feet above ground level (AGL) rather than settling onto the runway.
The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) immediately called for power application to arrest the climb and prepare for a landing or go-around. However, the student pilot delayed adding power and instead raised the nose further. As the airspeed decayed, the stall warning horn activated. The CFI then called for a go-around, which the student pilot attempted to execute.
During this maneuver, the left wing dropped significantly. This loss of control resulted in the left wing becoming the initial point of impact with the runway surface.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the landing flare and the subsequent stall recovery attempt. Examination of the event sequence highlighted the critical timing errors made by the student pilot regarding power application and pitch control. The mechanical condition of the aircraft was not cited as a contributing factor; the primary focus remained on the flight handling techniques employed during the final phase of flight.
Findings
The primary factors leading to the accident were the improper landing flare technique and the delayed response to the stall warning. The student pilot's failure to apply power promptly allowed the aircraft to enter a stalled condition at low altitude. The subsequent attempt to recover via a go-around was executed too late or with insufficient control authority, resulting in an asymmetric lift condition that caused the left wing drop. This sequence demonstrates the critical importance of timely power application and pitch management during the landing flare phase.
Safety message
Proper flare technique is essential for safe landings. Pilots must ensure timely power application to prevent ballooning and subsequent stalls, particularly during training operations where immediate corrective action by the instructor may be required.