No fatalities

29 Apr 2014: BEECH 76 — Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technolo — Fort Pierce, FL

Fort Pierce, FL, United States

On 29 Apr 2014, a BEECH 76 operated by Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technolo was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Pierce, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The instructor's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point in a multiengine airplane, during a single-engine approach in a strong gusty headwind. 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 multiengine airplane touched down before the approach end of runway 14 in a grass drainage basin after the instructor was unable to restart the intentionally shutdown right engine. The nosegear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground during the landing.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting training in a multiengine airplane when they intentionally shutdown and secured the right engine. Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The instructor then flew the airplane back to the departure airport.

Approach and Landing

While on a 2-mile left base leg for runway 14, the instructor extended the landing gear. Noticing a high descent rate, the instructor raised the gear, which arrested the descent. The tower controller reported wind from 130 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 35 knots. When established on final approach at the proper glidepath, the instructor again extended the landing gear, but the descent rate increased and wind gusts occurred on short final. The airplane touched down prior to the approach end of runway 14, in a grass drainage basin of a perpendicular runway.

Outcome and Inspection

During the landing, the right wing struck the ground and the nosegear collapsed. The airplane came to rest upright in the basin. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were observed, except for the inability to restart the right engine, which the instructor did not report as a preimpact malfunction.

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation