No fatalities

Flight Instructor's Rejected Takeoff Demonstration Leads to Bounced Landing and Fuselage Damage

Silver Springs, NV, United States

On September 12, 2017, a CESSNA T182T T operated by CIVIL AIR PATROL was involved in an aviation accident near Silver Springs, NV. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1785761257Data APIEditorial standards

During a proficiency check flight, a flight instructor demonstrated a rejected takeoff after a simulated engine failure. The airplane touched down with an excessive sink rate, bounced, and sustained substantial fuselage damage.

Overview

A flight instructor was conducting a proficiency check out for a pilot, an organizational requirement before pilots are authorized to fly their airplanes. The flight proceeded with area work before returning to the airport.

Maneuver

After the pilot landed the airplane and taxied back to the departure end of the runway, the flight instructor assumed control to demonstrate a rejected takeoff following a simulated engine failure. Approximately 50 to 100 feet above ground level, the instructor retarded the throttle, lowered the flaps to 40°, and lowered the nose. An excessive sink rate developed, and the airplane touched down slightly nose up, bounced, then rolled to a stop.

Examination

A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Instructor/check pilotDescent rate — Not attained/maintained