# NTSB MIA90LA136: Piper PA-44-180, N2171N, Bunnell, FL, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 09:45 local (13:45 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA136

## Probable cause

THE DUAL STUDENTS FAILURE TO FLARE PROPERLY DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STUDENT DURING THE SIMULATED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation

## Analysis

FLT INSTRUCTOR RETARDED THROTTLE ON LT. ENG. AFTER LIFT OFF . STUDENT RETARDED THROTTLE ON RT. ENG. AND LOWERED NOSE TO DESCEND TO RUNWAY FOR LANDING. EXCESSIVE SPEED WAS GAINED IN THE DESCENT AND THE STUDENT FLARED IMPROPERLY RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2171N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-7995225
- Airframe hours: 4522
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A60 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eagle Flight Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1990, 77 hours before
- Airport: X47, Flagler County, runway 24, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 1,511 total, 113 in this make and model, 1,383 as pilot in command, 315 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 15 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 19900528019819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900528019819A), May 28, 1990: Piper PA44180, Bunnell, FL, Substantial damage. CFI closed throttle after liftoff for practice engine out. Student throttled other engine. Hard landing broke gear.

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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