On December 11, 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
What happened in the 11 Dec 2015 PIPER PA 28 140 accident near California, MD?
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.
Were there any fatalities in the 11 Dec 2015 PIPER PA 28 140 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 11 Dec 2015 involved a PIPER PA 28 140, operated by PATUXENT RIVER NAVY FLYING CLUB, at California, MD.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
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.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…