# NTSB CHI95LA043: Piper PA-44, N853ND, Thief Rvr Falls, MN, November 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1994, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Thief Rvr Falls, MN - Coordinates: 48.110187, -96.170516 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1102&lon=-96.1705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9802/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA043 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a simulated forced landing. A factor in the accident is the student pilot's improper landing flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED HE WAS GIVING A PRIVATE PILOT DUAL INSTRUCTION IN PREPARATION FOR A MULTI-ENGINE RATING. THE CFI SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 150' AGL, HE RETARDED THE RIGHT ENGINE TO IDLE TO SIMULATE A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PRIVATE PILOT RESPONDED BY REDUCING THE POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE, AND RETURNING TO THE RUNWAY FOR LANDING. THE CFI WROTE IN HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB THAT THE PRIVATE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE, AND LANDED HARD, DAMAGING THE AIRPLANE. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 1994, about 1500 central standard time, a Piper PA-44 airplane, N853ND, sustained substantial damage during a simulated forced landing at Thief River Falls Airport, Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), dual student and the one passenger aboard reported no injury. The instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. The CFI reported that he was giving the private pilot multi- engine instruction in preparation for a multi-engine rating. Shortly after takeoff from Thief River Falls Airport, at an estimated altitude of 150' above the ground, the CFI reduced the right engine to idle thrust to simulate a loss of engine power. The private pilot multi-engine student reduced power on the left engine to return to the runway. The CFI stated that the student misjudged the landing flare and landed hard, causing substantial damage to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N853ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N853ND-1997-02-20), registration cancelled 1997-02-20, S/N 4495007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4495007 - Airframe hours: 3058 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1H6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 17, 1994, 54 hours before - Departed: TVF - Destination: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND - Airport: TVF, Thief Rvr. Falls, runway 31, 6,503 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,470 total, 165 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19941122039139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941122039139A), Nov 22, 1994: Piper PA44180, Thief River Fal, MN, Substantial damage. Simulated single engine on takeoff. Student reduced power other engine failed flare. Landed hard. Damaged aircraft. ## Other investigations on N853ND (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 CHI96LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA202), Jun 14, 1996: Piper PA-44 (N853ND), Grand Forks, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the instructor pilot used an improper procedure when he demonstrated a rejected takeoff and he misjudged the flare. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.