# NTSB CHI96LA202: Piper PA-44, N853ND, Grand Forks, ND, June 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1996, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.910747, -97.070404 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9107&lon=-97.0704&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10278/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA202 ## Probable cause the instructor pilot used an improper procedure when he demonstrated a rejected takeoff and he misjudged the flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The instructor reported that he was attempting to demonstrate a rejected takeoff. Instead of initiating the maneuver during takeoff roll he attempted to initiate the maneuver on final approach to the runway. The instructor entered the maneuver from 150 feet AGL at 70 to 80 KIAS. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, he reduced power on both engines to idle and applied forward elevator, establishing a descent for landing. He started to 'round the airplane out about 30 to 50 feet above the runway.' The descent rate was too high, so he continued to increase the pitch. He reported the stall horn sounded 'only milliseconds' before the airplane impacted the runway. The instructor reported the demonstration he performed of a rejected takeoff was not a recognized or an approved maneuver. He reported that the he had never had this maneuver demonstrated to him. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-44, N853ND, operated by the University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks, North Dakota, was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The flight instructor was demonstrating a rejected takeoff and had initiated the maneuver from 150 feet above the runway. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed runway 17R at Grand Forks Mark Andrews International Airport on a local instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The instructor reported that he was attempting to demonstrate a rejected takeoff. However, instead of initiating the maneuver during the takeoff roll and aborting the takeoff on the runway, the instructor initiated the maneuver while on the final approach to the runway. The instructor reported that he made an approach to runway 17R with the airplane descending to about 150 feet AGL at 75 to 80 KIAS. The airplane was configured with the landing gear down and zero degrees flaps. About 100 yards from the runway threshold, he applied power and raised the nose. He reported that as the airplane crossed the threshold, he reduced power on both engines to idle and applied forward elevator establishing a descent for landing. The instructor pilot reported that he started to "round the airplane out about 30 to 50 feet above the runway." The descent rate was too high, so he continued to increase the pitch. He reported that the stall horn sounded "only milliseconds" before the airplane impacted the runway. The airplane started skidding down the runway and the pilots shut off the engines. The pilots evacuated the airplane after it came to a stop and the airplane had been secured. The instructor reported the demonstration he performed of a rejected takeoff was not a recognized or an approved maneuver. He reported that the he had never had this maneuver demonstrated to him. Additionally, this was the first time that he had attempted to demonstrate the maneuver. ## 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: 3585 - 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: AAIP, May 15, 1996, 57 hours before - Departed: GFK - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks International, runway 17R, 7,349 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 598 total, 81 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 19960614046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960614046379A), Jun 14, 1996: Grand Forks, ND, No damage. (-23) On 06/14/96 at 1830 CDT, PA44, N853ND, owned by unviversity of north dakota and flown by trevor blackmer, was substantially damaged during a dual… ## 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 CHI95LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA043), Nov 22, 1994: Piper PA-44 (N853ND), Thief Rvr Falls, MN, substantial damage. 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. 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.