# NTSB GAA18CA228: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 Eaglet, N404TA, Ashland, VA, April 17, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 17, 2018, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Ashland, VA - Coordinates: 37.708057, -77.436386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7081&lon=-77.4364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97100/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97100 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA228 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, while the airplane was in the landing flare for a touch-and-go landing, the student pilot allowed the airspeed to become too low, and he instructed the student to perform a go around. The student applied full power and retracted the flaps, but the airplane continued to descend, so the instructor "got on the controls with him." During the go-around, the airplane touched down on the runway hard, bounced, and the instructor reported hearing a "ping" and observed that the right main landing gear was no longer attached. The instructor continued the go-around and entered the traffic pattern; during the approach, he observed the right main landing gear laying on the right side of the runway. He landed the airplane and it veered to the right off of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, while the airplane was in the landing flare for a touch and go landing, the student pilot allowed the airspeed to become too low and he instructed the student to perform a go around. The student applied full power and retracted the flaps, but the airplane continued to descend, so the instructor "got on the controls with him". During the go-around the airplane touched down on the runway hard, bounced, and the instructor reported hearing a "ping" and observed that the right main landing gear was no longer attached. The instructor continued the go-around and entered the traffic pattern and during the approach observed the right main landing gear laying on the right side of the runway. He landed and the airplane veered to the right off of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N404TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404TA-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 1327, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P92 EAGLET (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p92-eaglet) (registry code 0600045) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1327 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 2075.1 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 2018 - Departed: OFP, Ashland, VA - Destination: OFP, Ashland, VA - Airport: OFP, Hanover County Muni, runway 34, 5,402 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,412 total, 78 in this make and model, 2,224 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 37; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 26 total, 13 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KOFP ## 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 20180417012829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180417012829A), Apr 17, 2018: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, Ashland, VA, Substantial damage. N404TA experienced a hard landing during part 91 flight instruction at airport kofp on RUNWAY34. Right main landing gear seperated from aircraft causing… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97100. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Flight%20Instructor-Master.PDF - Student Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF 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.