Landing Gear Strikes Ground During Recovery

A practice session to demonstrate emergency engine-out landing procedures turned into a real emergency landing for a flight instructor and his student in northwestern Indiana this weekend.

The South Bend Tribune reports flight instructor Kenneth P. Jones, 67, simulated an engine-out landing from between 2,000 and 3,000 feet over a small snow-covered airstrip in Union Mills Sunday afternoon. Once landing was assured, Jones attempted to throttle up for the go-around... but the plane's landing gear contacted the ground before a climb attitude could be established.

The Cessna 172 came to rest on its landing gear, and Jones and his student, Rodney Kearney, were able to exit the plane without serious injury. Investigators noted damage to both wings, the propeller, and cowling, in addition to the landing gear.

LaPorte County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Morse told the paper skies were clear when the accident occurred, with light winds and temperatures slightly above freezing.

Jones' wife, Patricia, said her husband's only injury was to his pride. "He's a little upset," she said.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 53576        Make/Model: C172      Description: 172, P172, R172, Skyhawk, Hawk XP, Cutla
  Date: 02/01/2009     Time: 1730

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: UNION MILLS    State: IN   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  WHILE PRACTICING ENGINE OUT PROCEDURES AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON SNOW
  COVERED RUNWAY AND LOST CONTROL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: 1653 VPZ 27007KT 10SM SKC 02/M05

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Landing      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: SOUTH BEND, IN  (GL17)                Entry date: 02/02/2009

FMI: www.faa.gov