Piper PA-44-180 N2153B

Summary

On 21 May 1998 at about 00:15 local time, a Piper PA-44-180 registered N2153B, operated by Mazzeis Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Fresno, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 1998 at 00:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fresno, California, United States

Nearest airport

Fresno Yosemite Intl (FAT)

Coordinates

36.7490, -119.6697

Aircraft

Piper PA-44-180

Registration

N2153B

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Mazzeis Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA176

Nobody was injured.

The dual's student improper flare that led to the right main landing gear collapsing. A related factor in the accident was the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After practicing maneuvers and takeoffs and landings at an alternate airport, the dual instructional flight was returning to base to terminate the flight. In the pattern the flight instructor simulated an engine failure, with the student recovering and making a full stop landing. On the landing rollout, the aircraft veered to the right. The instructor applied full left rudder, with the aircraft continuing to the right. The instructor brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway, then requested and received permission from the tower to exit the aircraft and check the landing gear. The instructor noted that the right main landing gear was broken. Upon attempting to re-enter the aircraft, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. The instructor and student submitted written statements that stated the landing was not hard. In their interviews; however, they both stated that the landing was hard and the student stated that she was not sure if the aircraft had been properly aligned with the runway. The aircraft and landing gear mechanism were examined at the accident location. The right landing gear had separated from the wing with the front and rear attach fittings broken, exhibiting outboard loading. The landing gear collapsed towards the fuselage. No further mechanical anomalies were noted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.