Summary
On March 06, 2005, a Piper PA-44-180 (N21427) was involved in an incident near Opa Locka, FL. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The dual student's improper descent rate during a simulated engine failure and simulated forced landing and the CFI's inadequate remedial action which resulted in a hard landing.
On March 6, 2005, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N21427, registered to and operated by Delta Connection Academy Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, had a hard landing at the Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot-in-command/certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial-rated dual student reported no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines, Florida, earlier that day, about 1600.
The CFI stated they were conducting instrument approaches and landings at Opa Locka Airport.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA05CA072. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N21427.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The dual student's improper descent rate during a simulated engine failure and simulated forced landing and the CFI's inadequate remedial action which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 6, 2005, about 1730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-44-180, N21427, registered to and operated by Delta Connection Academy Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, had a hard landing at the Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot-in-command/certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial-rated dual student reported no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines, Florida, earlier that day, about 1600.
The CFI stated they were conducting instrument approaches and landings at Opa Locka Airport. During a takeoff, he gave his student the indication of a simulated engine failure, the student then retarded the throttles and initiated a descent to land. While on descent, the CFI and dual student noticed a higher than normal descent rate and both corrected by adding back pressure on the control column and adding engine power. After touchdown the instructor heard an abnormal noise and decided to taxi to the ramp. Once the airplane was secure, the CFI conducted an inspection and found damage to the fuselage and terminated the flight. The pilots stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA05CA072