On June 4, 1989, a Piper PA-38 (registration N38329) was involved in an aviation accident near Buffalo, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE BY THE STUDENT AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT BY THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI). CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, HIGH VEGETATION (GRASS), AND A DITCH. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During simulated emergency landing practice, an aircraft landed short of the runway. The instructor took control and applied full power, but the aircraft settled, contacted grass, and after a gust, struck terrain.
Incident Details
While a student pilot was practicing a simulated emergency landing, it became evident that the aircraft would land short of the runway. The certified flight instructor (CFI) took control of the aircraft and added full power to initiate a go-around. Despite this, the aircraft continued to settle and contacted the grass on the overrun. The pilot reported that the grass 'dragged the airplane downward causing the main gear to contact the surface.' At approximately that time, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind, which caused it to weathervane. The aircraft then swerved to the left, contacting the terrain with the left wing, spun around, and subsequently struck a ditch.
Flight Crew Experience
The instructor had a total flight time of 369 hours.