N1909V

On May 21, 1999, at 0900 Pacific daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna R172K, N1909V, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, failed to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing and the left wing contacted the runway surface at the Aurora State Airport, Aurora, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated from Aurora about one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot stated that he was receiving instruction for the instrument rating. The pilot reported that the first touch-and-go with about 30 degrees of flap extension was made without incident. During the second approach, the pilot was instructed to use full flap extension. The pilot reported that the approach for landing was normal. The pilot felt that the flare might have been "a little high" (approximately 10 feet above the pavement, and the stall horn sounded about five feet above the runway), and as the main landing gear touched down "firmly," the pilot initiated a go-around. The pilot stated that "I introduced full power as we were touching down, the nose remained high and we veered to the left side of the runway." The flight instructor took over the controls at this time to continue the go-around, not realizing that when the wing dipped down during the veering maneuver, it contacted the runway surface. While on the downwind leg, the pilot noticed that the wing tip fairing was vibrating. The flight instructor continued in the pattern and landed the airplane without further incident. After the airplane was taxied into the hangar, the pilot noted the damage to the outboard section of the wing and to the left side horizontal stabilizer.