CEN21LA045

The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings when the engine lost power while the airplane was on final approach, at an altitude of about 150 ft above the ground. The pilot was able to restore engine power, but it was “too late to slow [the] descent” and avoid a hard landing. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted the importance of maintaining airspeed “even in [an] emergency engine failure”. A postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined with the available information.

On November 5, 2020, about 1430 central standard time, a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL airplane, N339PW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Edgard, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings when the engine lost power while the airplane was on final approach at an altitude of about 150 ft above ground level. According to the pilot, the airplane’s nose “dipped immediately.” The pilot was able to restore engine power, but it was “too late to slow [the] descent” and avoid a hard landing. During the hard landing, the right wing separated from the fuselage at the root, the right-wing strut buckled, and the main landing gear collapsed. In the National Transportation Safety Board’s Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form, the pilot noted the importance of maintaining airspeed “even in [an] emergency engine failure.” Both the left and right-wing fuel tanks appeared to have been compromised. No fuel was recovered from the left-wing tank; about 1 gallon of fuel was recovered from the right-wing tank. The fuel lines appeared to be intact. Both carburetors appeared undamaged. The carburetor bowls contained trace amounts of uncontaminated fuel. Internal engine continuity was confirmed via rotation of the crankshaft. Engine control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies with respect to the engine or the airframe fuel system were observed.