# NTSB MIA89LA077: Piper PA-44-180, N2124H, Bunnell, FL, February 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1989, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Bunnell, FL
- Location: 29.4661° N, 81.2578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bunnell, FL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4661&lon=-81.2578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA077

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED DURING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE ON INITIAL CLIMB. THE INSTRUCTOR, AFTER TAKING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, ALSO FAILED TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING DURING WHICH THE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - performed, dual student
  - aborted takeoff - performed, dual student
  - aircraft control - attempted, pilot in command(cfi)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

AFTER A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT RETARDED THE LEFT ENG THROTTLE TO IDLE, SIMULATING AN ENG FAILURE. THE STUDENT RETARDED THE OTHER THROTTLE TO IDLE, LOWERED FULL FLAPS, THEN THE INSTRUCTOR ASSUMED CONTROL. AFTER FLARING TO LAND AT AN ALT OF APRX 20 FT ABOVE THE RWY, THE AIRSPEED DETERIORATED RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2124H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2124H-2004-03-06), registration cancelled 2004-03-06, S/N 44-7995162, 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: 44-7995162
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phoenix East Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1988, 53 hours before
- Airport: X47, Flagler County, runway 29, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,814 total, 210 in this make and model, 1,614 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 19 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 19890204002139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890204002139A), Feb 4, 1989: Piper PA44180, Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. Pulled an engine on takeoff. Student reduced other engine but flared 20 ft AGL.CFI took over late. Impacted runway

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.

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