What happened
On October 11, 2002, a PIPER PA-38-112, registration ZS-KVF, was involved in a training incident during a simulated engine failure maneuver. Following a successful touch-and-go landing, the instructor pilot requested a procedure to simulate an engine failure after takeoff. To execute the drill, the instructor reduced the throttle to simulate power loss. In response, the student pilot applied back pressure to the control column, which led to a decay in airspeed.
As the aircraft's speed dropped, the instructor attempted to recover the flight path by applying full power. However, the corrective action was initiated too late to prevent the aircraft from making contact with the runway. The aircraft struck the runway on its main wheels and tail, subsequently bouncing back into the air and climbing away from the surface.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the flight maneuvers performed. Post-incident inspections of the PIPER PA-38-112 revealed structural and mechanical damage, specifically affecting the engine mounting, the tail section, the main undercarriage, and the left brake assembly.
Records indicated that the aircraft was being maintained according to prescribed intervals, with the next maintenance inspection due in September 2003. The aircraft had flown 66 hours since its last major inspection. The training organization involved held a valid approval at the time of the occurrence.
Findings
- The primary factor in the incident was that the instructor pilot initiated corrective action too late during the simulated failure.
- The student pilot's application of back pressure during the power reduction caused a critical decay in airspeed.
- The aircraft's contact with the runway surface resulted in a hard landing that caused substantial damage to the airframe and landing gear components.