Failure to check NOTAMs results in bent Piper

The flight instructor reported that he and two student pilots were on a night, visual flight rules, instructional flight. The instructor tried to activate the pilot-controlled lighting at the airport in Gila Bend, Arizona, but he believed it was inoperative. He reported that he could see the wind sock on the airfield but that he did not see the “X” near the runway numbers and performed a touch and go.

During rotation he reported that, “I heard a red cone make impact with the nose gear section.”

He had to apply continuous forward pressure to the yoke because the Piper PA-28’s nose continued to pitch up with the trim set to the full-down position. He asserted that the flight characteristics were “acceptable” and continued the flight about 47 nautical miles to their home airport.

Upon arrival, the instructor alerted the tower that he had a stabilator malfunction and landed the airplane with zero flaps.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator.

The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

According to FAA NOTAM 03/058, the airport runways were closed at the time of the accident. The instructor did not check the notices to airmen (NOTAM).

Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to review the notices to airmen related to the airport, which resulted in his landing on a closed runway and the airplane striking runway closed markers.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA189

This March 2017 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.