What happened
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting practice sessions focused on takeoffs and landings. During the student's second approach to the runway, the aircraft was observed to be both too high and too fast for a safe landing configuration. The aircraft touched down in the middle of the runway but drifted left of the centerline, coming to rest in the grass adjacent to the pavement.
Recognizing the unsafe situation, the CFI applied power to initiate a go-around and attempt another approach. However, the aircraft stalled immediately after power was added. During this stall, the left wingtip struck the ground and subsequently hit a fence post. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 40 hours of dual instruction time at the time of the incident and had not yet soloed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics during the missed approach phase. It was determined that the aircraft entered a stall condition shortly after the CFI applied power. The impact with the ground and the fence post resulted in damage to the left wingtip. No further mechanical anomalies were cited as contributing factors beyond the aerodynamic stall.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the loss of control due to a stall during the go-around maneuver. Contributing factors included the student pilot's initial high and fast approach, which necessitated the missed approach, and the subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the power application phase. The incident highlights the critical nature of proper energy management during low-altitude maneuvers.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that go-around procedures are executed with precise airspeed control. Applying full power without maintaining sufficient forward speed can lead to an immediate stall, particularly in light aircraft. Proper training and adherence to standard operating procedures are essential for safe recovery from such situations.