Piper PA-34-200 wing strike during single-engine go-around

Casualties unknown • Bowling Green, OH, US

A student pilot and instructor were involved in a wing strike accident during a single-engine go-around attempt in a Piper PA-34-200.

What happened

During a single-engine approach and landing, the flight instructor had set the right engine to zero thrust. The aircraft, a PA-34-200, was on final approach with the landing gear and flaps extended when the student pilot elected to perform a go-around while operating on a single engine.

The go-around maneuver began at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above the ground. During the transition, the left wing rose rapidly. The instructor attempted to apply power to the right engine, but the engine failed to respond. The instructor then took control of the aircraft; however, before control could be stabilized, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The right wing struck the ground, causing the aircraft to slide approximately 300 to 400 feet before coming to a stop. The occupants were not injured.

The investigation

The investigation found no evidence of mechanical malfunction in the aircraft's systems.

Probable cause

The decision to perform a single-engine go-around, which is not recommended by the aircraft flight manual due to the difficulty of maintaining control during sudden power applications, contributed to the loss of control and subsequent wing strike.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-10-24 Piper PA-34-200 accident near Bowling Green, OH?

A student pilot and instructor were involved in a wing strike accident during a single-engine go-around attempt in a Piper PA-34-200.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-10-24 involved a Piper PA-34-200, registration N2874T, operated by Bowling Green University, at Bowling Green, OH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The decision to perform a single-engine go-around, which is not recommended by the aircraft flight manual due to the difficulty of maintaining control during sudden power applications, contributed to the loss of control and subsequent wing strike.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13646. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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