Piper PA-30B-160 accident near Clarksville, Tennessee, October 3, 2001
On October 3, 2001 at about 4:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-30B-160, registered N8402Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clarksville, Tennessee (Outlaw Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the CFI/check pilot to insure Vmc was maintained during a go-around following a simulated failed engine approach, resulting in an in-flight loss of control, uncontrolled descent, and collision with the terrain. A factor in the accident was the abrupt throttle control by unknown pilot(s).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 2001 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Clarksville, Tennessee · Outlaw Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30B-160 · all PA-30B-160s on the register
- Registration
- N8402Y · no longer on the register · serial 30-1551
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was for the purposes of, (1) pre purchase aircraft checkout, and (2) pilot checkout. Following some local area air work, the prospective buyer in the left seat and the seller/CFI/check pilot in the right seat, entered the traffic pattern for practice landings. Following two normal landings by the left seat occupant, the CFI pulled the left throttle back for a simulated single engine approach and landing. The pattern and approach were executed normally until about 10 to 15 feet agl, over the runway , when the CFI stated, "Let's go around". The throttles were advanced, ( "probably too quickly", according to the CFI) but the left engine did not respond. The aircraft yawed and banked left, dragged the left wingtip on the runway, and cart wheeled into the airport's grassy infield. Subsequent examination of the engines by an FAA inspector revealed no discrepancies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,601 hours in all; 60 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 9,227 as pilot in command; 7,703 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 10, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 491 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 49 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 313 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 10, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,774.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2001; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-320-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CKV Clarksville TN at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,004 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from CKV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.