No fatalities

31 Oct 2008: PIPER PA-38-112 — GOLDEN EAGLE ENTERPRISES INC — Friant, CA

Friant, CA, United States

On 31 Oct 2008, a PIPER PA-38-112 operated by GOLDEN EAGLE ENTERPRISES INC was involved in an aviation accident near Friant, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around in timely manner, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial actions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A CFI stated that during a simulated engine failure practice flight, the aircraft collided with terrain after the student initiated a go-around at low altitude. No mechanical issues were reported.

Incident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was for a student pilot to practice simulated engine failures. The flight proceeded to a mountainous area approximately 15 miles from the base airport. Three simulated engine failures were performed without incident, and the student set up for a fourth attempt.

Sequence of Events

During the fourth simulated engine failure, the airplane descended to about 100 feet above ground level (AGL). The student then configured the airplane for a go-around by adding power and pitching the nose upward. Several seconds later, the airplane collided with terrain.

Post-Incident Statements

In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report (Form 6120.1/2), under the section titled "RECOMMENDATION," the CFI stated that the accident could have been prevented if the go-around was initiated at a higher altitude. The CFI further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.

Contributing factors

Instructor/check pilotStudent pilot