On September 7, 1996, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N41331) operated by Henry Gantner was involved in an aviation accident near Oxnard, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, and his delay in taking the controls and initiating a go-around. The student pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and the proximity of the runway remaining marker were related factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a no flap slip approach, a student pilot and CFI collided with a runway remaining marker. The CFI initiated a go-around, but a bump was felt. Tower advised of the collision, and the aircraft returned to Camarillo airport without further incident. Damage was found on the right wing and marker.
Incident Details
During an approach to land, a student pilot was performing a no flap slip. The flight instructor (CFI) observed that the airplane was aligned with the edge of the runway, with low airspeed and a high rate of sink. When a collision with a runway remaining marker appeared imminent, the CFI took control of the airplane and initiated a go-around.
Go-Around and Collision
As the CFI performed the go-around, the pilots felt a bump that they initially thought was a hard landing. However, the Oxnard tower controller subsequently advised the pilots that the airplane had collided with the runway marker.
Return and Inspection
The pilots returned to the Camarillo airport, where they landed without further incident. An inspection revealed damage to the right wing of the airplane. The runway remaining marker was also damaged.