Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX95LA010

KAHULUI, HI, USA

Aircraft #1

N60054

BEECH C-23

Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE LAST LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN. THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF, BUT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO SLOW. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT WHEEL BRAKES AND TIRE SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY WHEEL BRAKE SEIZING OR BINDING.

Factual Information

On October 15, 1994, at 1431 hours Hawaii standard time, a Beech C-23, N60054, exited the left side of runway 05 and the left wing collided with the terrain at the Kahului Airport, Kahului, Hawaii. The student pilot was conducting a local solo visual flight rules instructional flight and was not injured. The airplane, owned and operated by Clark Enterprises, Inc., Lahaina, Hawaii, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Kahului Airport at 1400 hours. The student pilot reported in the aircraft accident report that he flew the approach between 80 and 85 knots. On initial touchdown, the airplane bounced and pulled to the left. Thinking that he may have had his foot on the left brake, the student pilot applied power to effect a recovery from the bounced landing. On the second touchdown, the airplane again pulled to the left. The student pilot applied power to execute a go-around, but the airplane's airspeed was too slow. The airplane stalled after it became airborne and struck the ground in a left wing down attitude. The student pilot said that he examined the left wheel brakes and tire. The examination showed no evidence of any seizing or binding. He also said that the surface winds were from 325 degrees between 8 and 10 knots. The surface winds reported by the airport traffic control tower personnel at 1437 hours were 320 degrees at 8 knots. The student pilot said that wake turbulence from the preceding airline jet departures on the nearly parallel runway (runway 02) may have caused the severe pull to the left. The Beech C-23 Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) shows that the recommended approach speed is 68 knots (78 mph).

Probable Cause and Findings

the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, improper in-flight decision, and his failure to attain the proper climb airspeed during the initial takeoff resulting in an inadvertent stall. The student pilot's lack of total experience, excessive final approach speed, and misjudging the initial flare altitude were factors in this accident.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports