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Go-around goes bad

By NTSB · September 17, 2015 ·

During a practice touch-and-go landing in the Cessna 172 in Deer Valley, Ariz., the student pilot did not properly maintain runway alignment during the landing flare. The flight instructor took control of the plane as the wheels touched down on the runway, and attempted a go-around.

However, during the go-around, the CFI did not retract the flaps to 20°, which the normal procedures require.

Subsequently the airplane bounced, landed in an open area adjacent to the runway, and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the plane sustained substantial damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer.

The NTSB determined the probable cause as the student pilot’s inadequate flare and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s improper go-around procedures.

NTSB Identification: WPR13CA397

This August 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. John says

    September 18, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    I make it a practice to only use 20° of flaps in my 182 and less it’s a real short runway, my approach speed is only five knots higher in the landing distance only a couple feet longer that way if I ever need to go around the plane is already ready to go!

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