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Piper PA-44 | N595ND

March 30th, 2024 | Fort Pierce, Florida

Accident Location

  • City: Fort Pierce
  • State: Florida
  • Latitude: 27.493857
  • Longitude: -80.370002
  • Airport ID: KFPR

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N595ND
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-44
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Guillen, Valentia
  • Gender: Female
  • Pilot Age: 22
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: Yes
  • Instructional Flight: Yes
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: March 30th, 2024
  • Time: 1:20 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Go-Around
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 0
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: ERA24FA157
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 13) VMC ROLL OVER, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in the attempted simulated single engine low altitude missed approach where an immediate right turn into a dead right engine caused an aerodynamic stall. The MEI allowed an improper throttle quadrant setting which prevented power being available to both engines when the throttles were advanced equally, therefore both student and instructor were surprised to have not regained both engines to full symmetrical power.

NTSB: Probable Cause issued 3/27/2026 – 24 months after the accident: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the multiengine airplane after a partial loss of engine power on one engine during a go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s failure to check the condition/security of the right engine’s carburetor throttle arm linkage during the annual inspection, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft review and become conditioned to multi engine scenarios, and not ever turn the aircraft in any direction until a safe altitude and speed are achieved. The instructor was communicating with ATC when she should have remained wings level and flown the airplane. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.