Casualties unknown

2002-05-04: Piper PA-38-112 (N2494B) — Hastings, MI

Hastings, MI, US

On May 4, 2002, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2494B) was involved in an aviation accident near Hastings, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure to attain airspeed, inadequate supervision of the flight, and delayed remedial action which resulted in a stall. 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 an instructional flight, a student pilot initiated a go-around from a high flare, but the aircraft descended, prompting the CFI to take control. The plane struck runway lights and a sign before the nose gear collapsed.

Accident Overview

The airplane sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing attempt on runway 12. The incident occurred during an instructional flight. The student pilot began the landing flare at approximately 15 to 20 feet above ground level and then elected to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the aircraft continued to descend, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) took over control.

Pilot Reports

The CFI stated that after taking control, his first action was to verify that the throttle and mixture were both forward, which they were. At that time, the stall warning horn sounded, so he immediately lowered the nose to gain airspeed. He recalled that the aircraft was then about 5 feet off the ground in ground effect and the right wing was lowered in an attempt to return to the runway.

The student pilot reported that with full power applied, the plane started to sink. The instructor then took control of the airplane. The plane refused to fly and went down to the left of runway 12.

Damage Details

The airplane impacted three runway edge lights, a runway marker cone, and a runway intersection sign prior to the nose gear collapsing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020513X00664. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.