Piper PA-28-235 N8658W accident near Rutherford, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while performing a go-around which resulted in a stall.

NTSB analysis

A certified flight instructor and his student flew a short cross country flight. At the destination airport, the pilots practiced five landings, and then the flight instructor exited the aircraft so the student could practice touch-and-go landings. On the third touch and go, the student pilot was too far left of the runway and initiated a go around, during which the airplane "stalled." During the subsequent uncontrolled descent, the airplane clipped trees and impacted a ravine upside down, breaking off the right wing. The pilots stated that there was a 5 knot wind from the right but thought it was not a factor. They also stated there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. Both pilots were contacted numerous times and neither submitted a National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 as required.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA395 for the full record.