- Date
- October 31, 2008, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Friant, CA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N2346GPiper PA-38-112
- Defining event
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 24, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20081031851909A
- Case key
- 69387
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around in timely manner, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial actions.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The purpose of the dual instructional flight was for the student pilot to practice simulated engine failures under the direction of his certified flight instructor (CFI). After completing three simulated engine failures without mishap, and the student setup for a fourth attempt. The airplane descended to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) and the student configured the airplane for a go-around by adding power and pitching the nose upward. Several seconds later the airplane collided with terrain. The CFI stated that accident could have been prevented if the go-around was initiated at a higher altitude. The CFI further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Factual narrative
In a written statement, the certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice simulated engine failures. The flight proceeded to mountainous area about 15 miles from the base airport. Three simulated engine failures were performed without mishap and the student setup for a fourth attempt. The airplane descended to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) and the student configured the airplane for a go-around by adding power and pitching the nose upward. Several seconds later the airplane collided with terrain. In the section titled "RECOMMENDATION" in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, form 6120.1/2, the CFI stated that accident could have been prevented if the go-around was initiated at a higher altitude. The CFI further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2346G
- Reported as
- Piper PA-38-112
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 38-79A0502
- Engine
- Lycoming 0-235 SERIES, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc
- Registered owner
- Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- FAT · Fresno, CA
- Destination
- FAT · Fresno, CA
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- FAT · Fresno International Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Flight instructor
- Age
- 24
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 1,730 total · 300 in this make and model · 1,190 as pilot in command · 290 in the last 90 days · 99 in the last 30 days
- Role
- Student pilot
- Age
- 27
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 115 total · 115 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 8,000 ft overcast
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N2346G · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.