Casualties unknown

Instructor and Student Involved in Runway Excursion After High-Speed Landing (N303AT)

Las Vegas, NV, US

On February 19, 1994, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N303AT) operated by Proflight, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Las Vegas, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE CFI'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION BY FAILING TO GO-AROUND INSTEAD OF LANDING, THE CFI'S EXCESSIVE TOUCHDOWN SPEED, AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE DUAL STUDENT'S INITIAL EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND THE DITCH WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a dual instructional flight, a CFI took control and landed beyond the runway after a high-speed approach, resulting in a collision with a ditch. The CFI reported a tailwind, while ATC indicated a headwind.

Sequence of Events

A dual instructional flight was returning to its home base after a session. The dual student was piloting the aircraft and allowed the final approach flight path to become too low and fast. The certified flight instructor (CFI) assumed the controls, executed a go-around, and reentered the traffic pattern. After explaining what the student had done wrong, the CFI relinquished the controls back to the student.

On a subsequent final approach, the aircraft's airspeed was too fast. When the aircraft was about one-quarter mile from the approach end of the runway, the CFI again assumed the controls, but did not execute a go-around. Instead, the CFI retarded the throttles and landed about one-third beyond the end of the runway at a high airspeed. The CFI did not believe he had sufficient runway remaining to execute a go-around and attempted to stop, but the aircraft exited the runway and collided with a ditch.

Wind Conditions

According to the CFI, the aircraft landed with an equivalent direct tailwind of 6 knots. The approach control reported the surface winds to be a left quartering headwind.

Notes

The report does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, or any injuries or damage incurred.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X00772. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.