Casualties unknown

Student Pilot and Instructor Involved in Night Landing Accident (N9931R)

Winston-salem, NC, US

On September 20, 1994, a Beech M35 (registration N9931R) operated by Lopez, Michael E. was involved in an aviation accident near Winston-salem, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND A PROPER GLIDEPATH ON FINAL APPROACH, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNDERSHOOT. FACTORS WERE THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

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

During a night landing, a student pilot stalled the aircraft after raising the nose without adding power when cautioned about being low and slow. The nose gear collapsed and left wing main spar buckled after landing short.

Flight Details

A student pilot with 117 total flying hours was landing an airplane during night visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The flight instructor was present in the aircraft. The accident flight was the first occasion the student and instructor had flown together.

Sequence of Events

During short final approach, the flight instructor cautioned that the airplane was low and slow. In response, the student pilot raised the nose of the aircraft but did not add power. This action caused the aircraft to stall, and it landed short of the runway edge. As the aircraft crossed the runway edge, the nose gear collapsed and the left wing main spar buckled.

Instructor's Report

The instructor reported that he was not familiar with the student's abilities and waited too late to take corrective action. The instructor's delayed intervention contributed to the outcome.

Aircraft Damage

The nose gear collapsed and the left wing main spar buckled as a result of the event.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02177. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.