# Accident 20180401003239A: Piper PA-28-181, Phoenix, AZ, April 1, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 1, 2018, 14:02 local time
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: FQAS
- Location: 33.6889° N, 112.0819° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6889&lon=-112.0819&mi=10
- Aircraft: N297PA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N297PA-2019-05-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 335 total, 51 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA193) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180401003239A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL TO 7L AT KDVT WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS.  THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT 12 KNOTS GUSTING TO 18 KNOTS.  AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY IT DRIFTED LEFT OF CENTERLINE.  THE INSTRUCTOR CALLED FOR A GO AROUND.  NEITHER THE INSTRUCTOR NOR THE STUDENT COULD CONFIRM WHO MANIPULATED THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND FLAP LEVER.  THE INSTRUCTOR WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTINUING ON A DIVERGENT PATH FROM THE RUNWAY.   THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROLS.  NEITHER OF THEM REMEMBER A POSITIVE EXCHANGE OF THE CONTROLS. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED ?IT WASN?T CLIMBING.?   HE BANKED AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT BACK TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND FELT CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.  THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE NOTICED A SIGN AND PULLED UP TO AVOID IT.  THE RIGHT WING MADE CONTACT WITH THE SIGN.  THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY.

THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT BOTH STATED THEY COMBINED TWO LESSONS (LESSON 1.9 AND 1.10 OF APPROVED TCO) ON THE FLIGHT.  THE STUDENT HAD 11 HOURS OF FLIGHT TRAINING PRIOR TO THESE LESSONS.  ON DAY OF ACCIDENT, THEY HAD FLOWN 2.8 HRS.  ON A PREVIOUS GO AROUND ATTEMPT, THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE STUDENT RETRACTED THE FLAPS INCORRECTLY AND THE ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED.  THE STUDENT WAS FLYING THIS APPROACH WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AS THE INSTRUCTOR?S HANDS WERE ON THE GLARE SHIELD.  THE FAA INSPECTORS COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE STUDENT EFFECTIVELY

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA18CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA193), Apr 1, 2018: Piper PA28 (N297PA), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper selection of the flap setting during a go-around, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Other reports on N297PA (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20101107050791I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101107050791I), Nov 7, 2010: Piper PA-28-181 (N297PA), Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. On November 07, 2010 around 0845 MST, N297PA, Piper PA28-181 struck the right wing tip to a propeller spinner of a parked aircraft. This aircraft sustained…
- [Incident 20060114000859I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060114000859I), Jan 14, 2006: Piper PA28181 (N297PA), Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Following return from practice area after approximately .7 hour flight time, the student noticed an odor of smoke in the cabin while on down wind leg for…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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