Casualties unknown

2002-04-19: Beech 76 (N6636J) — Sierra Academy OF Aeronautics — Petaluma, CA

Petaluma, CA, US

On April 19, 2002, a Beech 76 (registration N6636J) operated by Sierra Academy OF Aeronautics was involved in an aviation accident near Petaluma, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's decision to execute a simulated single engine go-around at an altitude insufficient to preclude the inadvertent ground contact of the airplane and the resultant loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During an instructional flight, the aircraft's landing gear collapsed when the instructor initiated a single-engine go-around at low altitude. The aircraft touched down with full power on the left engine, then became airborne again in a nose-high, yawing attitude before settling and collapsing the right main and nose gear.

Incident Overview

An instructional flight ended with the collapse of the landing gear during a practice single-engine go-around. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or system failures.

Sequence of Events

The instructor had the student practice a single-engine VOR approach to the airport under VFR conditions. The right engine was set to zero thrust, and the winds were straight down runway 29. After overflying the runway on the approach, the aircraft circled to enter right traffic. The instructor decided to have the student perform a single-engine go-around. He later stated that he issued the go-around command at too low an altitude.

During the go-around, the airspeed was above Vmc. However, due to the low altitude at maneuver initiation, the aircraft inadvertently touched down with full power on the left engine, causing it to start veering to the right. It became airborne again in a nose-high, yawing, and right-rolling attitude. At that point, the instructor assumed control and reduced power on the left engine. The aircraft then settled to the ground in the nose-high, yawed, and banked attitude, with the right main landing gear off the pavement. The right main gear and nose gear collapsed.

Instructor Observations

After the event, the instructor said that he believes neither he nor the student were making aggressive enough control inputs to correct the situation in the early stages. He also stated that he may have waited too long before assuming control of the aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020420X00560. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.