Casualties unknown

1998-08-13: Piper PA-44-180 (N144JR) — Vero Beach, FL

Vero Beach, FL, US

On August 13, 1998, a Piper PA-44-180 (registration N144JR) was involved in an aviation accident near Vero Beach, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student's improper retraction of the landing gear and the instructor's inadequate supervision. 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 APIEditorial standards

During a touch-and-go landing, a flight instructor took control but the student raised the landing gear lever; the instructor reached for flaps, the nose pitched down, and the aircraft struck terrain.

Accident Sequence

A certified flight instructor (CFI) was conducting a training flight with a rated student pilot. During the landing rollout, the CFI took positive control of the aircraft's flight controls from the student. He then advanced the throttles to initiate a touch-and-go takeoff. While the CFI was focused on the maneuver, the rated student pilot raised the landing gear control lever to the up position without the CFI's knowledge.

As the CFI reached down to retract the flaps, the nose of the aircraft pitched downward, and the airplane subsequently collided with the terrain.

Probable Cause

The source does not explicitly state a probable cause for the accident.

Background

The flight was a training mission with a CFI and a student rated to perform takeoffs and landings. The specific circumstances leading to the student's action and the instructor's response are described in the narrative. No further details about the aircraft type, registration, engine count, date, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or damage items were provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10921. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.