Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot-in-command(cfi) to initiate a go-around after encountering severe turbulence during landing flare and his decision to raise the flaps and reduce engine power to idle after directional control was lost resulting in the aircraft colliding with a house.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While performing a downwind landing into rising terrain at night the pilot-in-command (cfi) was flying the aircraft. As he flared for landing the aircraft encountered severe turbulence. Control was regained and another landing flare was initiated. The aircraft again encountered severe turbulence and directional control was lost. The aircraft veered to the left over buildings and electrical wires and crashed into a house. As the aircraft veered out of control the pilot-in-command raised the flaps and reduced the throttle to the idle position.
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 15, 1994, at 2240 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 172K, N79401, registered to Sugarbush Air Services, Inc., crashed into a house near the Culebra Airport, Culebra, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91, instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial- rated pilot flight instructor received minor injuries. The dual student received serious injuries. The flight originated at Culebra, Puerto Rico, on February 15, 1994, at 2030. The flight instructor stated that he was flying the aircraft at the time of the accident. Enroute from Isla Grande Airport, where they had performed takeoffs and landings, he obtained the current San Juan weather and the St. Thomas weather. The winds were reported to be easterly at 10 knots. He elected to perform a downwind landing on runway 31, due to rising terrain northwest of the airport. As they flared for landing they encountered "two successive severe blasts" from the right. They regained control and continued the landing flare. They again encountered a "blast" of air from the right. The aircraft was lifted 60 to 80 feet into the air and moved to the left over buildings, wires, and across a road where it collided with a house. As the aircraft flew out of control he raised the flaps and moved the throttle to the idle position. -