On November 13, 1998, a Cessna 172N (registration N2401E) was involved in an aviation accident near Prescott, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the flight instructor to provide adequate supervision of the student pilot during a simulated emergency landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a training flight, a student pilot inadvertently turned off the fuel selector during a simulated engine failure. The instructor took over at low altitude and executed an emergency landing, shearing off the left landing gear on a tree stump.
Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a simulated engine failure exercise from approximately 3,500 feet above ground level (AGL). During the maneuver, the student inadvertently moved the fuel selector to the off position without the instructor noticing.
Sequence of Events
At about 500 feet AGL, the instructor directed the student to perform a go-around. When the student applied full throttle, the engine did not respond. The instructor then took control of the aircraft and initiated an emergency landing.
Landing and Damage
During the emergency landing, the left landing gear struck a tree stump and was sheared off. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position.
What happened in the 13 Nov 1998 Cessna 172N accident near Prescott, AZ?
During a training flight, a student pilot inadvertently turned off the fuel selector during a simulated engine failure. The instructor took over at low altitude and executed an emergency landing, shearing off the left landing gear on a tree stump.
Were there any fatalities in the 13 Nov 1998 Cessna 172N accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 13 Nov 1998 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N2401E, at Prescott, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The failure of the flight instructor to provide adequate supervision of the student pilot during a simulated emergency landing.
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