# NTSB GAA18CA234: Piper PA28, N922PA, Wickenburg, AZ, April 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2018, 17:40 local (Apr 25, 2018, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Wickenburg, AZ - Coordinates: 33.970275, -112.794998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9703&lon=-112.7950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97114/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97114 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA234 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to relinquish flight controls and premature flap reduction during approach to land. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Knowledge: reading/language comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032045/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, while abeam the intended touchdown point, he reduced power to idle for the student pilot to perform a simulated engine failure approach. The student pilot maneuvered for the runway and added full flaps (40°), decreasing airspeed to about 62 to 68 knots. The instructor asked the student if he believed he would be able to make the runway given his airspeed, and the student pilot retracted the flaps to 0° and then back to 25°. The airplane began to sink, the flight instructor added full flaps to "regain some lift," and he instructed the student pilot to recover. The student pilot put both hands on the yoke and pitched up. The flight instructor said "my controls," applied full power, and attempted to lower the nose, but the student pilot froze and continued to pitch up. The flight instructor repeated the exchange of flight controls command, the student pilot released control of the yoke and retracted the flaps to 0°. The flight instructor put the flaps back to 25° and pitched the nose down in an attempt to recover. The airplane struck the top of a tree, the flight instructor reduced power and landed short of the runway; the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, after conducting interviews, it was revealed that the flight instructor took control of the airplane "well below 500 feet from the ground." He also added that there may have been a communication barrier between the flight instructor and the student pilot. He reported that the student pilot paused for 20 to 30 seconds to comprehend each question before answering. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, while abeam the intended touchdown point, he reduced power to idle for the student pilot to perform a simulated engine failure approach. The student pilot maneuvered for the runway and added full flaps (40°), decreasing airspeed to about 62 to 68 knots. The instructor asked the student if he believed he would be able to make the runway given his airspeed, and the student pilot retracted the flaps to 0° and then back to 25°. The airplane began to sink, the flight instructor added full flaps to "regain some lift", and he instructed the student pilot to recover. The student pilot put both hands on the yoke and pitched up. The flight instructor said, "my controls", applied full power, and attempted to lower the nose, but the student pilot froze and continued to pitch up. The flight instructor repeated the exchange of flight controls command, the student pilot released control of the yoke and retracted the flaps to 0°. The flight instructor put the flaps back to 25° and pitched the nose down in an attempt to recover. The airplane struck the top of a tree, the flight instructor reduced power and landed short of the runway; the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, after conducting interviews, it was revealed that the flight instructor took control of the airplane "well below 500 feet from the ground". He also added that there may have been a communication barrier between the flight instructor and the student pilot. He reported that the student pilot paused for 20 to 30 seconds to comprehend each question before answering. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N922PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N922PA-2019-07-08), registration cancelled 2019-07-08, S/N 2843270, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (181) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843270 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 19121.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aeroguard Flight Training Center - Registered owner: Bird Acquisition LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 6, 2018 - Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ - Destination: E25, Wickenburg, AZ - Airport: E25, Wickenburg Muni, runway 23, 6,101 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 974 total, 712 in this make and model, 896 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KLUF, 33 nm away ## 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 20180424024139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180424024139A), Apr 24, 2018: Piper PA-28-181, Wickenberg, AZ, Substantial damage. On April 24, 2018 at approximately 16:30 local time, aircraft N922PA, crashed short of the runway at the Wickenberg municipal airport (E25), in Wickenberg… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97114. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Student Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464481&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.