Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student during a simulated short field approach for landing. This resulted in an in-flight loss of control (inadvertent stall), and subsequent hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was making a simulated short field approach for landing with a certified flight instructor. The CFI instructed the student pilot to lower the nose of the airplane. The student pilot overcompensated, pulled back on the flight controls, and stalled the airplane, resulting in a hard landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 17, 1995, about 1100 eastern standard time, N3470T, a Cessna 177, registered to and operated by Gordon Air Service landed hard at Tamiami Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the instructor and student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport about 1 hour earlier. The instructor stated the student was making a simulated barrier approach. He informed the student to lower the nose. The student overcompensated, pulled back on the flight controls, and stalled the airplane, resulting in a hard landing. The accident was reported to the NTSB on March 20, 1995. -