Accident Details
On July 24, 2024, at about 1555 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T aircraft, registration N134MG, was substantially damaged when it struck trees and a road during an emergency landing near Roy, Utah. The flight instructor sustained serious injuries, while the pilot receiving instruction suffered minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.
According to the flight instructor, the flight departed from Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD) in Ogden, Utah, for a local practice area to conduct single-engine maneuvers without incident. After returning to the airport, the crew performed a practice instrument approach to runway 03, followed by a missed approach. They then executed a second practice instrument approach with a simulated left engine failure. At the final approach fix, the landing gear was lowered, but the right main landing gear indicator did not indicate a down-and-locked position. Troubleshooting efforts included swapping light bulbs, cycling the gear, and using the emergency extension system, all without success.
Emergency Landing
The crew performed a low approach over runway 03, during which the air traffic control tower controller reported that the landing gear appeared to be down. The flight instructor stated that the tower offered to position fire and rescue equipment near the runway in case the gear collapsed on landing. The flight instructor agreed and circled east of the airport while awaiting the arrival of fire personnel.
After maneuvering over runway 03, the upwind leg was extended by an additional two miles before a left crosswind turn was made. During the crosswind turn, the student pilot advanced power to the left engine, and the flight instructor secured the right engine to avoid potential propeller and engine damage if the right main landing gear collapsed upon landing.
The flight instructor reported that initially the airplane maintained altitude and an indicated airspeed of 92 knots (Vyse) with maximum power on the left engine. Once established on downwind, the “over-boost” light illuminated on the annunciator panel, indicating that the operating engine’s manifold pressure exceeded the limit of 40.5 inches of Hg. The flight instructor directed the student to retard the throttle and make incremental throttle movements to avoid over-boosting. As the airplane passed midfield for runway 03, the instructor began steps to restart the right engine; however, due to altitude and airspeed, they informed the controller that they would land immediately south of the runway. The flight instructor took control and maneuvered toward a road for landing. During the landing, the airplane struck multiple trees and impacted a road before coming to rest upright against a tree in a residential front yard.
Post-Accident Actions
The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further investigation.