N47611

Substantial
None

PIPER PA-34S/N: 34-7770418

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA484
Location
Savannah, GA
Event ID
20090827X83825
Coordinates
32.127498, -81.202224
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N47611
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
34-7770418
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1977
Model / ICAO
PA-34PA34
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Multi Engine
No. of Engines
2

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SOUTHWINDS EXPORT INC
Address
2631 ONEIDA LOOP
Status
Deregistered
City
KISSIMMEE
State / Zip Code
FL 34747-2789
Country
United States

Analysis

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.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA484