PIPER PA-34
Savannah, GA — August 25, 2009
Event Information
| Date | August 25, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA09CA484 |
| Event ID | 20090827X83825 |
| Location | Savannah, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.12750, -81.20222 |
| Airport | Savannah/ Hilton Head Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-34 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor and student pilot were returning to the airport for landing after practicing maneuvers. According to the flight instructor, the airplane experienced a partial loss of communication radios en route and was cleared to land using light signals. The student pilot was flying the airplane and after a normal approach, just prior to touchdown on the runway, he abruptly pulled back on the control yoke. The airplane climbed approximately 10 feet as the flight instructor assumed control and pushed the control yoke forward. The airplane subsequently landed hard, which resulted in damage to the nose gear, the right engine propeller, and the nose cone structure at the base of the windshield. The flight instructor further stated that he did not experience any flight control malfunctions and weather was not a factor during the accident.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.