NTSB Reports: September 2016

At about 0900 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged upon impacting an aircraft hangar following a total loss of engine power during a go-around. The flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot received minor injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The two had been practicing takeoffs and landings for about an hour when, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the CFI directed the student to demonstrate a simulated engine failure. The airplane was about of the way down the runway when he initiated go-around. At this point, the engine sputtered and lost power. The CFI took over the flight controls and made a left turn at about 100 feet agl with the intent of flying over a hangar to a clear area beyond but realized they would not clear it. He placed the airplane in a 45-degree nose-up attitude so the engine penetrated the hangars metal door first.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A significant number of accidents resulted from a loss of control, particularly during critical flight phases like takeoff, go-arounds, or low-altitude maneuvering, often highlighting issues with pilot technique or training scenarios.
Engine power loss, frequently attributed to fuel exhaustion, improper fuel management, or fuel system malfunctions, led to numerous forced landings and impacts.
Other contributing factors included mechanical and electrical system failures, as well as environmental challenges such as strong wind gusts or unsuitable runway conditions, leading to runway excursions and loss of control.

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Aeronca 7AC Champion
June 1, 2016, Toughkenamon, PA

The two had been practicing takeoffs and landings for about an hour when, on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the CFI directed the student to demonstrate a simulated engine failure. The airplane was about of the way down the runway when he initiated go-around. At this point, the engine sputtered and lost power. The CFI took over the flight controls and made a left turn at about 100 feet agl with the intent of flying over a hangar to a clear area beyond but realized they would not clear it. He placed the airplane in a 45-degree nose-up attitude so the engine penetrated the hangar’s metal door first.