HOUSTON, TX, USA
N32108
PIPER PA-28-140
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REDUCED POWER TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE, AND TOLD HIS STUDENT TO DEMONSTRATE A FORCED LANDING AT THE WEST HOUSTON LAKESIDE AIRPORT. THE STUDENT SAID WHILE HE WAS HALFWAY THROUGH THE DOWNWIND LEG, HE WANTED TO TURN TOWARDS THE RUNWAY BUT THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE. AFTER HE TURNED ON BASE LEG, THEY OBSERVED AN AIRPLANE UNDER TOW NEAR THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIRPLANE 'DID NOT DEVELOP ANY LIFT.' LAST OBSERVED AIRSPEED WAS 63 MPH AND THE STALL WARNING LIGHT WAS 'FLICKERING.' THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD.
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION, HIS INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO STALL, AND EXCEEDING THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE. FACTORS WERE: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN AIRCRAFT TYPE, HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND EXCEEDING THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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