Accident Overview
On May 8, 2018, at approximately 1315 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200 airplane, registration N99GN, collided with terrain following a go-around at Porter County Airport (KVPZ) in Valparaiso, Indiana. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, while the pilot receiving instruction suffered minor injuries. The aircraft, operated by Griffith Aviation, Inc. under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight, was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had departed Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C) in Griffith, Indiana, at about 1000.
Sequence of Events
According to representatives from Griffith Aviation Inc., the student pilot was conducting approaches to KVPZ. The second approach was a simulated engine-out approach intended to culminate in a planned go-around. During the go-around, the airplane's airspeed decreased below the single-engine minimum controlled airspeed. As the student pilot advanced the throttle of the operating engine to full power, control was lost, and the airplane descended and struck the terrain.
Post-Accident Examination
Federal Aviation Administration personnel examined the wreckage and identified no pre-impact anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. Substantial damage was noted to the right wing spar and fuselage.