Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the instructor pilot (cfi) to maintain minimum control speed (vmc) during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of control. A factor related to the accident was: the delay by the dual student to extend the landing gear.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While in the traffic pattern, the instructor pilot (cfi) moved the left engine mixture control to the cutoff position. The flight turned to a left crosswind, downwind and base. On base leg, the cfi feathered the left engine propeller and the flight turned onto final approach. During the final approach, the pilot of another airplane in the traffic pattern announced on the same frequency that the landing gear was not extended. The student pilot extended the landing gear selector handle, and the cfi applied full power on the right engine to go around. The pilots reported that the airplane began to climb, then it entered minimum control speed (vmc) and rolled to the left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest upright. A post-crash exam of the airplane revealed that the landing gear warning horn operated normally.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 2, 1994, about 1217 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N8303G, registered to and operated by Phoenix East Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged while landing at the Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certified flight instructor (CFI), pilot-rated student, and observer were not injured. The flight originated from the Daytona Beach Regional Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida, about 1030. The CFI stated that after departure the student performed airwork then a full stop landing at the Flagler County Airport. During the upwind leg the CFI pulled the left engine mixture control to the cutoff position. The flight turned downwind then base during which the CFI feather the left engine propeller. The airplane turned final and during the flare for landing, the pilot of another airplane in the traffic pattern advised the flight that the landing gear was not extended. The student lowered the landing gear selector handle and the CFI applied full throttle on the right engine. The airplane rolled to the left and impacted the ground left wing low followed by the nose and right wing, coming to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane by FAA certificated A & P mechanic revealed that the landing gear warning horn operated normally. -