No fatalities

29 Sep 2018: Piper PA28 140 — Spokane, WA

Spokane, WA, United States

On 29 Sep 2018, a Piper PA28 140 was involved in an aviation accident near Spokane, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to climb and its subsequent collision with trees. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A non-instructor rated pilot acting as PIC in a student pilot's airplane during landing approach; student initiated go-around, pilot retracted flaps fully in one motion, airplane struggled to climb, impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage.

Accident Sequence

A non-instructor rated pilot reported that he agreed to fly with a student pilot in the student's airplane and act as pilot in command from the right seat. During the approach to land, with the student pilot on the controls, the airplane was high but the airfield was made, and full flaps were selected. According to the pilot, the airplane "got slow and low," prompting the student to initiate a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot raised the flaps to the full up position in a single motion. The airplane then "struggled to fly and climb." Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees at the end of the runway and came to rest on its right side.

Pilot Statement

The pilot noted that the pilot operating handbook for the airplane states that flaps should be retracted one notch at a time during a go-around. He reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.

Contributing factors

Causes

Attain/maintain not possibleIncorrect use/operationPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation