# NTSB MIA05CA072: Piper PA-44-180, N21427, Opa Locka, FL, March 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2005, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.911666, -80.278335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9117&lon=-80.2783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 19 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61105/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA072 ## Probable cause The dual student's improper descent rate during a simulated engine failure and simulated forced landing and the CFI's inadequate remedial action which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - engine shutdown - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - descent - improper, dual student (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The CFI stated they were conducting instrument approaches and landings at Opa Locka Airport. During a takeoff, he gave his student the indication of a simulated engine failure, the student then retarded the throttles and initiated a descent to land. While on descent, the CFI and dual student noticed a higher than normal descent rate and both corrected by adding back pressure on the control column and adding engine power. After touchdown the instructor heard an abnormal noise and decided to taxi to the ramp. Once the airplane was secure, the CFI conducted an inspection and found damage to the fuselage and terminated the flight. The pilots stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2005, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N21427, registered to and operated by Delta Connection Academy Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, had a hard landing at the Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot-in-command/certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial-rated dual student reported no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines, Florida, earlier that day, about 1600. The CFI stated they were conducting instrument approaches and landings at Opa Locka Airport. During a takeoff, he gave his student the indication of a simulated engine failure, the student then retarded the throttles and initiated a descent to land. While on descent, the CFI and dual student noticed a higher than normal descent rate and both corrected by adding back pressure on the control column and adding engine power. After touchdown the instructor heard an abnormal noise and decided to taxi to the ramp. Once the airplane was secure, the CFI conducted an inspection and found damage to the fuselage and terminated the flight. The pilots stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21427](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21427-2005-04-14), registration cancelled 2005-04-14, S/N 44-7995050, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 44-7995050 - Airframe hours: 9407.2 - Engines: Avco Lycoming O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating; Avco Lycoming O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Delta Connection Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 8, 2005, 55.1 hours before - Departed: HWV, Pembroke, FL - Destination: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OPF, Opa Locka, runway 9L, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review July 28, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 1,589 total, 148 in this make and model, 1,451 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 19 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: OPF ## 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 20050306002489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050306002489A), Mar 6, 2005: Piper PA44180, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During a pilot training flight, student pilot attempted to land aircraft after a simulated engine failure on takeoff. Both pilots failed to control… ## Other investigations on N21427 (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 MIA93IA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93IA120), May 5, 1993: Piper PA-44-180 (N21427), Daytona Beach, FL, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE DRAG LINK ASSEMBLY BOLT. 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.