Casualties unknown

1988-07-29: Piper PA-38-112 (N91352) — Redwood Aviation — Healdsburg, CA

Healdsburg, CA, US

On July 29, 1988, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N91352) operated by Redwood Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Healdsburg, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in a stall and loss of control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot lost control during a go-around maneuver after applying full power on a low and slow approach, resulting in a crash into a tree.

What happened

The accident occurred while a student pilot was conducting her third supervised solo flight. Prior to the incident, she had successfully completed two touch-and-go landings. On her final approach, which was intended to be a full-stop landing, the pilot reported that the aircraft was both low and slow. In response to this situation, she decided to execute a go-around maneuver.

She applied full power and raised the nose of the airplane to gain altitude. However, the left wing dropped unexpectedly during the climb. The aircraft subsequently mushed into a tree and crashed in a vineyard.

The investigation

The pilot stated that the aircraft was low and slow on final approach before initiating the go-around. She applied full power and raised the nose, at which point the left wing dropped leading to the impact with a tree.

Findings

  • Phase of flight: Go-around
  • Injuries: 1 fatal
  • Aircraft type: Unspecified in source
  • Cause: Loss of control during go-around due to low airspeed and high angle of attack

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around, which resulted in a stall and loss of control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X26290. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.