Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot in command's failure to maintain proper clearance. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's delayed go around.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The instructor pilot, accompanied by a student pilot, was demonstrating a simulated power out landing to an agriculutural field. During the go around maneuver, the aircraft's right wheel impacted an irrigation wheel at an elevation of approximately 6 feet above ground. The aircraft's right wheel separated from the strut. The instructor pilot subsequently returned the aircraft to the originating airfield, executing a successful landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 9, 1993, at approximately 2030 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 150L, N10050, registered to J. C. Pitts Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Ontario Flight Service, and being flown by James C. Erickson, a certificated commercially rated flight instructor, sustained substantial damage when it collided with irrigation equipment during a go around approximately 5 nautical miles northwest of Ontario, Oregon. The pilot in command and accompanying student under instruction were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was instructional in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91, and originated from the Ontario Airport at approximately 2010 hours. The instructor reported that he was demonstrating a simulated power out landing (ELP) to an open field. He stated that during the go around maneuver following the practice ELP, the aircraft's right main landing gear impacted an irrigation wheel at an estimated elevation of 6 feet above ground. The aircraft's right wheel separated from the strut at the impact. The instructor then returned the aircraft to Ontario and executed a successful landing on runway 32. -