What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-05-30 involved a Piper PA-34-200T, registration N36275, at Santa Teresa, NM.

Hard Landing and Runway Excursion During Touch-and-Go Go-Around (N36275)

On May 30, 1997, a Piper PA-34-200T (registration N36275) was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Teresa, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot-in-command's (PIC's) inadequate supervision of the flight by allowing the pilot-rated passenger to attempt a go-around (aborted landing) without maitaining minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in loss of aircraft control. 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 1781061362Data API Editorial standards

A hard landing during touch-and-go landings led to porpoising and a runway excursion. The pilot-in-command reported that asymmetric thrust from a slow-developing right engine caused loss of directional control.

Incident Overview

Witnesses at the airport observed an airplane entering the traffic pattern for touch-and-go landings on runway 28. They reported that the airplane landed hard, porpoised three or four times, and then departed the right side of the runway.

Pilot Reports

According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), the pilot-rated passenger in the right seat, who was reported to hold an airline transport rating, applied full power after announcing "let's go around." The PIC stated that the power in the right engine "was slow to develop, which instantly skewed the airplane off the runway."

As the airplane reached about 5 feet above the ground, the PIC said he "reduced the power to the good engine." The airspeed was at or near VMC, and the PIC added that "the airplane started to roll and directional control was not possible." He then reported that he "pulled both engines back and flared."

Recommendation

In the recommendation block of a Pilot/Operator Report, the PIC recommended "not attempting [a] full throttle go-around until both engines are confirmed operational, or far above VMC."

Analysis

The event involved a hard landing followed by a go-around attempt where differential engine thrust led to a loss of control and a runway excursion. No further details were provided in the source.

1997-05-30: Piper PA-34-200T (N36275) — Santa Teresa, NM