What happened
The accident occurred during a flight training exercise involving a student pilot and a private pilot occupying the right seat. According to the surviving right seat passenger, who is a private pilot with approximately 440 hours of total flight time, the student pilot was executing a go-around maneuver when the aircraft stalled. Following the stall, the aircraft turned to the left and began to descend in an uncontrolled manner. The aircraft subsequently struck a tree located near the runway before impacting the ground.
The investigation
Post-accident analysis included a toxicology report conducted on the student pilot. The results indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.191%, which is significantly above the legal limit for operating an aircraft in the United States.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were the student pilot's loss of control during the go-around and his intoxication. The student pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed during the critical phase of flight, leading to a stall. The presence of alcohol in the pilot's system severely impaired his ability to operate the aircraft safely.
Safety message
This accident underscores the critical importance of maintaining proper airspeed and control during go-around procedures. It also highlights the severe dangers of operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol, which can lead to catastrophic loss of control.