Primary finding
Probable cause
the failure of the flight instructor to take timely remedial action during an approach, resulting in an inadvertent stall, hard landing and subsequent collapse of the landing gear. A factor related to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of instructing experience.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The certified flight instructor (cfi) and the dual, private pilot student were practicing simulated emergency landings to runway 34. According to the FAA inspector's written statement, 'during the approach, the private pilot failed to maintain a proper airspeed on final.' at approximately 100 feet above the runway the airplane stalled and sunk, losing altitude rapidly. The airplane landed extremely hard and the landing gear collapsed. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 18 knots. According to the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the cfi's total flight time was 652 hours, of which 29.5 hours were in this make and model airplane. The cfi's total flight instructor time was 8.7 hours, of which 3.1 hours were in this make and model airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 15, 1995, about 1635 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28R-200, N41767, piloted by William Best, collided with the ground while landing at Carroll County Airport, near Westminister, Maryland. The airplane was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the dual, private pilot student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI and the private pilot were conducting a complex aircraft checkout. They were practicing simulated emergency landings to runway 34. While on short final, the airplane struck the ground from an altitude of approximately 100 feet. According to the FAA Inspector's written statement: During the approach, the private pilot failed to maintain a proper airspeed on final. The aircraft encountered a wind shear condition approximately 100 feet above the runway. The aircraft partially stalled and sunk, loosing altitude rapidly. The flight instructor failed to take appropriate action in a timely manner. The aircraft landed extremely hard and the landing gear collapsed The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 18 knots, gusts to 21 knots. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI's total flight time was 652 hours, of which 29.5 hours were in this make and model airplane. The CFI's total flight instructor time was 8.7 hours, of which 3.1 hours were in this make and model airplane. -