Dual Instrument Instruction Accident at Corpus Christi International Airport (N738DC)

Accident Details

The accident occurred while a student pilot was receiving dual instrument flight instruction. She had conducted several practice instrument approaches, all in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The final approach was an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 13 at Corpus Christi International Airport. The approach began in VMC but entered clouds at approximately 550 feet. The descent continued to about 300 feet, at which point the certified flight instructor (CFI) called for a missed approach.

The CFI initiated a climb to about 350 feet and felt ground impact. Before impact, he noted the aircraft was in a 20-degree right bank and he leveled the wings. The student stated she was in a state of fatigue when the accident occurred. She had been using the airspeed and vertical speed indicators to verify the aircraft was climbing and made no reference to the attitude indicator for pitch control.

Flight Instructor and Student

The CFI stated he had spent three to four hours with the student performing basic airwork. The CFI had renewed his CFI certificate three days before the accident by attending an FAA-approved ground training course. No flight check was involved in the certificate renewal.