Training Flight Disaster - Episode 224

Training flight gone wrong! An examination of a February 2024 accident that involved an unstable approach, a tail strike, and a near collision with an airplane hanger.
Both the instructor and student involved in the Cessna 172 accident survived. Their account of the event provides insights into how a routine training flight turned into a near disaster. The instructor's decision-making created a dangerous situation.
Shortly before landing, ATC redirected the aircraft to a much shorter runway, and the instructor allowed the student to bring in the aircraft too high and too fast. The instructor then allowed the student to land instead executing a missed approach.
After the student put the aircraft on the runway and braked hard enough to lock the brakes, the instructor took control of the aircraft, continued to apply brakes and pulled back on the control column hard enough to cause a tail strike.
The instructor turned onto a taxiway near the end of the runway and took off again, barely missing a nearby hanger. Fortunately, the instructor was able to land the damaged aircraft.
The Australian authorities reference FAA criteria for a stabilized approach in the accident report. The detectives share anecdotes that reinforce the importance of judging whether an approach is stable and being consistent with landing procedures.
Related Documents are available at the Flight Safety Detectives website.
Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives TH-cam channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.
Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8

[@user-ve4sm8cb9c]

If someone says they don't think they can do something that needs to be respected. Even if you have done something a dozen times its possible to have an off day. I really enjoy your videos. Would you guys consider doing one on how you got into your careers? Thanks!

[@gandalf87264]

I remember way back when I was learning to fly, ATC instructed is to land on the shorter runway. I had by then only a few hours of flight experience. My instructor told me that he would do the landing instead. I must say, after we had landed, there was more than enough runway to have landed again.

[@charlesfaure1189]

This flight instructor should be required to provide a copy of this report to every student he works with. This was egregious and only by the grace of God did they both not end up in the morgue.

[@caw7007]

Always interesting. Thanks for all you do!!

[@ShadesOClarity]

Great insight, guys.

[@alanoneuser]

Curious what "low and slow" aircraft John used to fly from short fields!

[@aviatortrucker6285]

When I went through training, there was a scenario called a short field landing. You had to fly at the bottom of the green arc with full flaps and control your descent to clear a 50 foot obstacle. Evidently that must be passé since everything is automated. I slow to 70 kn in the pattern start deploy flaps and maintain 70 with a 400 foot per minute decent rate. When I turn base that is my key position and I add flaps and re-trim for 70 kn and 400 ft./min. decent. When I turn final, I go to full flaps and I adjust my speed so that when I’m over 50 feet which would be my obstacle I slow the aircraft down to 55 kn, full flaps and a 300 foot descent rate and it will set right in and stop within a couple hundred feet. On a Cessna 172 1.3 times VSO is roughly around 53 kn.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

I’m noticing a lack of safety issue in both the trucking industry and in aviation. I think the common denominator is the rushed training and shortcuts to be in the big leagues too soon. What’s your take guys?

[@kiwidiesel]

Sadly shortages of experience seem to usher in fast tracking of or shortcuts in training replacements and we see what that delivers 😞

[@denverbraughler3948]

Could you get genuine green screen backdrops? They aren’t expensive.

[@65gtotrips]

@2:19 - Todd Curtis doesn’t have his IFR ? I thought they were all already private or commercial pilots with their ratings ? Just curious.

[@thatguy7085]

90 kts… yikes… way too fast for a C172

[@PilotInCommand777]

I think this story is as well a good testament to how forgiving the very venerable Cessna 172 really is. What do you think. Do you think the C172 had any part in saving their lives?