No fatalities

2020-09-16: Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (N972DD) — Drive Line — Jacksonville-Cherokee County, United States of America

Jacksonville-Cherokee County, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On September 16, 2020, a Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class) (registration N972DD) operated by Drive Line was involved in an aviation accident near Jacksonville-Cherokee County, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing approach and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack at low altitude resulting in an aerodynamic stall. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781190336Data APIEditorial standards

During engine-out landing practice, a student pilot overshot the turn to final, airspeed decreased, and the airplane stalled at low altitude. Both wings and forward fuselage substantially damaged. No mechanical failures.

Incident Overview

While practicing an engine-out landing in the traffic pattern, a student pilot, under the supervision of an instructor pilot, overshot the turn from base leg to final. The airplane rolled out to the right of the runway centerline. The student then attempted to turn back toward the runway and observed that the airspeed was rapidly decreasing.

Sequence of Events

The instructor reported that when he realized the severity of the situation, it was too late to intervene. The student attempted to add power for a go-around but was unable to recover. The airplane stalled approximately 10 feet above the ground, impacted the ground to the right of the runway, and skidded onto the runway where it came to rest.

Damage

Both wings and the forward fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Pilot Statements

Both pilots stated there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing approach and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack at low altitude resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the instructor pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the student pilot’s actions during the approach.