Casualties unknown

Instructor and Student Lose Directional Control During Ground Effect Flap Retraction (N2536N)

Madison, WI, US

On November 5, 1997, a Piper PA-38 (registration N2536N) operated by Wisconsin Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Madison, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the flight instructor's (CFI's) inadequate supervision of the flight, and his failure to ensure that control of the airplane was maintained. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 5 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

A flight instructor and student were practicing in ground effect with full flaps when the instructor raised the flaps and became distracted. The airplane veered left, and the right wing contacted a runway light.

Incident Description

A flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting a training flight. The CFI had the student fly the airplane down the runway in ground effect with the flaps fully extended. The CFI then retracted the flaps to the first notch. At that moment, the instructor became distracted. According to the CFI, by the time attention returned to the airplane, it had veered to the left side of the runway.

Sequence of Events

The instructor reported that the airplane was too slow to fly out of ground effect. In an attempt to recover, full power was added. Subsequently, the right wing of the airplane contacted a runway light located off the left side of the runway.

Outcome

The right wing made contact with a runway light off the left side of the runway. No further details about damage or injuries were provided in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X09143. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.