Accident Overview
On June 29, 2016, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, registration N44311, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing at Fairfield County Airport (FDW), Winnsboro, South Carolina. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private company. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at FDW about 1020. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight Details
The flight instructor reported that this was the first time he had flown with the commercial pilot, and the purpose of the flight was to provide recurrent training. After about 2 hours of flight, they returned to FDW and executed an RNAV approach to runway 22. Upon reaching decision altitude, they transitioned to a visual approach and prepared to land. The landing gear was already extended, and flaps were set to 25 degrees.
The commercial pilot, who was at the controls, flared the airplane over the runway numbers but was too high. The flight instructor advised him to lower the nose and add power, which he did. The commercial pilot again flared too high, and the flight instructor became concerned about a stall and began reaching for the controls when the commercial pilot initiated a go-around. The flight instructor stated that the commercial pilot simultaneously pushed both throttles forward, and the airplane suddenly rolled to the right while at a height of about 2 to 4 feet above the ground. The flight instructor, who never took control, reported that it felt like the left engine was producing more power than the right engine. The right wing and main landing gear struck the ground, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, spinning about 180 degrees before coming to a stop upright.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and found substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The landing gear, both engines, and their propellers were also damaged. Both engines and the fuel system were examined, and no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the horizontal stabilator trim revealed it was positioned toward the full nose-up position.
Pilot Information
The flight instructor held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane, as well as an airline transport pilot rating for single-engine airplane. His last FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 7, 2016. He reported a total of 6,482 hours of flight experience, with 780 hours in multiengine airplanes, 500 of which were in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
The commercial pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplane single and multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His last FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on June 21, 2016. He reported a total of 2,400 hours of flight experience, with 1,900 hours in multiengine airplanes, but no hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.