Landing gear collapse during simulated emergency landing practice

Casualties unknown • Westminister, MD, US

A flight instructor and a student pilot were involved in an accident when the aircraft stalled and landed hard during simulated emergency landing maneuvers.

What happened

A certified flight instructor and a private pilot student were conducting training involving simulated emergency landings to runway 34. During the final approach, the student pilot failed to maintain the required airspeed. At an altitude of approximately 100 feet above the runway, the aircraft experienced a stall and lost altitude rapidly.

The resulting impact with the ground was extremely hard, causing the landing gear to collapse. At the time of the accident, recorded winds were from 310 degrees at 18 knots. Both occupants were not injured.

Findings

An FAA inspector's written statement indicated that the student pilot failed to maintain proper airspeed on final approach. Records regarding the flight instructor's experience noted a total flight time of 652 hours, with 29.5 hours logged in this specific make and model. The instructor's total flight instructor time was 8.7 hours, including 3.1 hours in this aircraft type.

Probable cause

The student pilot failed to maintain proper airspeed during the final approach of a simulated emergency landing, leading to an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing that collapsed the landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1995-04-15 Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Westminister, MD?

A flight instructor and a student pilot were involved in an accident when the aircraft stalled and landed hard during simulated emergency landing maneuvers.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1995-04-15 involved a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N41767, operated by Control Aero, at Westminister, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot failed to maintain proper airspeed during the final approach of a simulated emergency landing, leading to an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing that collapsed the landing gear.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X03366. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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