Investigation number
199001150
Occurrence date
Location
French Island
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Loss of control
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

This was the student's first session on practice forced landings. The instructor demonstrated a forced landing approach, and then positioned the aircraft for the student to practice an approach. The instructor intended to demonstrate to the student the dangers of trying to stretch the glide. The approach was flown by the student into wind with full flaps set, descending to a low height with the speed reducing to 55 knots. The student failed to respond to the instructor's call to watch the airspeed. The instructor took control, applying full power, but too late to avert the descent. The aircraft port wing tip contacted a bush and the resulted ground contact caused the nose gear to collapsed. The instructor estimated the wind as from the north-west at 15-20 knots and thought there was probably wind shear at low level, which contributed to causing the ground contact.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-38
Registration
VH-HAT
Serial number
38-79A72
Operation type
Flying Training
Departure point
Tooradin VIC
Departure time
1150
Destination
Tooradin VIC
Damage
Substantial