Piper PA-38-112 N2346G

Summary

On 31 October 2008 at about 19:30 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 registered N2346G, operated by Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc, was involved in an accident near Friant, 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

31 October 2008 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Friant, California, United States

Nearest airport

Fresno International Airport (FAT)

Coordinates

37.0008, -119.6181

Aircraft

Piper PA-38-112

Registration

N2346G

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Golden Eagle Enterprises Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fresno → Fresno

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09CA030

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around in timely manner, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial actions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the dual instructional flight was for the student pilot to practice simulated engine failures under the direction of his certified flight instructor (CFI). After completing three simulated engine failures without mishap, and the student setup for a fourth attempt. The airplane descended to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) and the student configured the airplane for a go-around by adding power and pitching the nose upward. Several seconds later the airplane collided with terrain. The CFI stated that accident could have been prevented if the go-around was initiated at a higher altitude. The CFI further added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.