On 11 Dec 2015, a PIPER PA 28 140 operated by PATUXENT RIVER NAVY FLYING CLUB was involved in an aviation accident near California, MD. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's descent below the prescribed final approach path at night, and flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's descent, which resulted in a collision with trees and impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a student pilot's first night flight, the instructor became confused about the airplane's position relative to the runway, leading to a collision with trees short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Incident Details
A flight instructor reported an accident that occurred during a student pilot's first night flight. The lesson focused on familiarizing the student with night operations, including takeoffs and landings.
Sequence of Events
During landing, the student pilot held the approach path for a while before drifting below it, as indicated by the visual approach slope indicator. The instructor told the student to climb and reestablish the approach path. Subsequently, the instructor became confused and could not determine the airplane's position relative to the runway. The instructor reported that he snapped out of the condition, but the airplane collided with trees and impacted the ground short of the runway before a recovery could be made.
Damage and Mechanical Status
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Contributing factors
Student/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintained