Accident Overview
An accident occurred at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station during a Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization check. The pilot at controls was allowed to perform his first attempt at an obstacle approach during the check. The maneuver was inadequately briefed by the pilot in command during the mission brief.
Sequence of Events
The pilot in command, having great confidence in the pilot at controls, permitted him to conduct the obstacle approach without prior demonstration. After pushing over for the approach, an excessive sink rate developed. Upon recognizing that the approach was becoming dangerous, power was applied and the nose was pulled up. However, due to a combination of slow approach speed, late and inadequate power application, the excessive sink rate was not arrested. This resulted in a hard landing, followed by failure of the starboard wing.
Probable Cause
The official findings state the accident was the consequence of the following factors: the pilot-in-command failed to recognize a dangerous situation and take appropriate corrective action; the pilot at controls failed to properly compensate for excessive sink rate during landing transition; the pilot at controls began transition to landing attitude too late to arrest a high rate of descent for the power applied; and poor crew coordination.