NTSB Factual Report

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around and his premature retraction of the landing gear. A factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.