BENSON, AZ, USA
N2471D
PIPER PA-38-112
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT REPORTED SMELLING AND SEEING SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AREA, COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE SMOKE LASTED FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. THE PILOT DECIDED TO TURN OFF THE THROTTLE, MIXTURE, AND FUEL AND EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. HE ALSO REPORTED HEARING THE STALL WARNING INDICATOR 2-3 TIMES DURING HIS EMERGENCY DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD ON A DIRT ROAD. THE OPERATOR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT AND TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S ANXIOUSNESS IN OVER-REACTING TO A SITUATION AND PREMATURELY ENTERING A POWER-OFF FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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