What happened
On May 3, 2011, a Piper PA-3-112, registration OO-MSG, was conducting a local training flight near Sint-Truiden Airfield (EBST). The flight, which included a student pilot and an instructor, was intended to perform stall exercises with flaps extended. After climbing to approximately 1,900 feet, the aircraft began a series of turns. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft making a sputtering noise before it suddenly entered a steep, vertical dive. One witness also reported seeing the aircraft spinning. The aircraft struck the ground at high speed in a field near Bettincourt, resulting in two fatalities and the total destruction of the airplane.
The investigation
The AAIU(Be) examined the flight path, wreckage, and the experience levels of the crew. Radar data confirmed the aircraft's maneuvers prior to the impact. The investigation reviewed the student pilot's training history, noting that while the student had significant experience in Cessna 152 aircraft, they had relatively limited time in the Piper PA-38-112. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's design characteristics, specifically its susceptibility to spins, and reviewed historical NTSB data regarding similar accidents involving this model.
Findings
- The aircraft entered an unintentional spin during the maneuvering phase of the training flight.
- The training was being conducted at an altitude that did not provide sufficient margin for recovery.
- The Piper PA-38-112 has specific aerodynamic characteristics that require precise pilot input to recover from spins.
- The student pilot's recent transition to this specific aircraft type meant they had limited experience with its unique stall and spin characteristics.