Cessna 172N N739MK accident near Blairstown, New Jersey

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper control inputs and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted go-around.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and the student pilot were practicing a simulated loss of engine power landing procedure. When the airplane was over the runway, it began to “excessively” float and the instructor told the student to go-around. The student added full power and pulled back on the control yoke to initiate the go-around. The instructor said the airplane almost immediately banked toward the left of the runway. He immediately took over the controls and attempted to recover from the situation; however, he said that he was unable to overpower the student’s excessive input and the airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA048 for the full record.