LAX01LA080

Factual narrative

On January 23, 2001, at 1258 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182RG, N5487T, collided with the ground during a go-around at Douglas, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated flight instructor received minor injuries; his dual student was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a training flight by Cochise College under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The local flight originated at 1220. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. According to the operator, just before touchdown for a touch-and-go landing, the student pilot began the landing flare and the airplane ballooned. The instructor directed that the student go around and called for full power. This was followed by the stall warning horn. The instructor pushed forward on the yoke while stating he had control of the airplane. The controls felt heavy and the instructor noted that the student was still on the flight controls pulling the yoke aft. The instructor was unable to see the position of the landing gear. A right roll and yaw was countered with the flight controls and the flaps were extended to 20 degrees, followed by a left roll and yaw. The airplane stopped settling and was rolled level. It rolled right again and the right wing struck the ground followed by the propeller. It landed on its belly and slid to a stop. After the airplane came to a rest the landing gear was found in the retracted position. The operator stated that it appeared the student raised the landing gear at the start of the go-around, contrary to school policy. While conducting a series of touch-and-go maneuvers the airplane ballooned on a landing. The instructor directed the student to initiate a go-around when the stall warning was heard. The instructor reported that control of the airplane was to be relinquished to him but the control yoke was not released by the student. The gear lever position could not be seen by the instructor. The instructor also stated after the accident that the landing gear appeared to have been retracted at the start of the go-around procedure. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12