ERA24LA059

A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with his flight instructor. An airport surveillance video showed the airplane flying about 50 ft above ground level in a nose high, left wing low attitude. The left bank continued to steepen, the airplane’s nose pitched downward, and the airplane began descending steeply toward the ground in a manner consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall. Due to their injuries, the student pilot could not recall what occurred during the third touch-and-go landing, while the flight instructor was unable to provide any recollection of the flight. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern.

On December 7, 2023, about 1248 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N906KS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in accident near Zephyrhills, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the student pilot, he had about 11 hours of total flight experience. He stated that he and the flight instructor flew from Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida, to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Zephyrhills, Florida, to practice some touch-and-go landings on runway 5. The flight instructor demonstrated the first touch-and-go landing. The student pilot recalled performing the second touch-and-go landing but did not remember what occurred during the third touch-and-go landing. He recalled waking up in the hospital. Due to his injuries, the flight instructor was unable to provide a statement. An airport surveillance video showed the airplane flying about 50 ft above ground level in a nose high, left wing low attitude. The left bank continued to steepen, the airplane’s nose pitched downward, and the airplane began descending steeply toward the ground. Initial examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that it came to rest on the left side of runway 5. The left wing and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The airplane was subsequently examined after it was recovered from the accident site. Continuity of the flight control cables was traced through separations that were consistent with overload or cuts that were made by recovery personnel to facilitate transportation of the wreckage. All of the primary flight controls were free to move by hand, and felt smooth through those movements. The top spark plugs of the engine were removed and the propeller was rotated by hand; thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Engine powertrain and valvetrain continuity were verified to the rear accessory section of the engine. Both magnetos produced spark on all leads when their input drives were rotated by an electric drill. The carburetor was opened for examination; it was clean and clear of debris. No anomalies were noted with either the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.