# NTSB GAA18CA575: Piper PA28, N40825, Spokane, WA, September 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2018, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.523612, -117.459167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5236&lon=-117.4592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA575 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA575 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to climb and its subsequent collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noninstructor-rated pilot reported that he agreed to go flying with a student pilot in the student's airplane and act as pilot-in-command while seated in the right seat. During the approach to land with the student on the controls, the airplane was high, but with the "airfield made," the student selected full flaps. According to the pilot, the airplane "got slow and low," and the student initiated a go-around, during which, in a single motion, the pilot raised the flaps to the full-up position, and the airplane "struggled to fly and climb." Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees at the end of the runway and came to rest on its right side. The pilot added that the Pilot's Operating Handbook states that the flaps should be retracted one notch at a time. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The non-instructor rated pilot reported that he agreed to go flying with a student pilot in the student's airplane, and act as pilot in command while seated in the right seat. During the approach to land, with the student on the controls, the airplane was high, but with the "airfield made", full flaps were selected. According to the pilot, the airplane "got slow and low" and the student initiated a go around. During the go around, in a single motion, the pilot raised the flaps to the full up position and the airplane "struggled to fly and climb". Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees at the end of the runway and came to rest on its right side. The pilot added that the pilot operating handbook states that the flaps should be retracted one notch at a time. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40825](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40825-2019-01-16), registration cancelled 2019-01-16, S/N 28-7425174, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7425174 - Year built: 1974 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2017 - Departed: SFF, Spokane, WA - Destination: 12WA, Cheney, WA - Airport: 12WA, Fowlers Nw 40, runway 03, 1,550 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 20, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 730 total, 197.8 in this make and model, 580.7 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 42; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 63.4 total, 9.8 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KGEG, 7 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 20180929016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180929016479A), Sep 29, 2018: Piper PA-28-140, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. The PIC sitting in the right seat allowed the passenger to operate the airplane from the left seat. A short field landing attempt resulted in an aborted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98401. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.