This July 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Rutherford, N.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The CFI and student pilot flew a short cross-country flight. At the destination airport, the student did five landings, then the flight instructor exited the aircraft so the student could practice solo touch-and-go landings. The first two were adequate. On the third touch and go, the student was too far left of the runway. He initiated a go around and the airplane stalled and crashed into a tree-lined ravine. The Cherokee’s right wing broke off and the airplane landed upside down.
Both pilots were contacted numerous times and neither submitted a National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 as required.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while performing a go-around which resulted in a stall.
For more information: NTSB.gov NTSB Identification: ERA09CA395
Interesting – the NTSB can be ignored with impunity.