Status:	Final
Date:	18 JAN 1981
Type:	Lockheed P-3A-55-LO Orion
Operator:	United States Navy
Registration:	152161
C/n / msn:	185-5131
First flight:	1965
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Whidbey Island-NAS, WA (NUW) (United States of America)
Phase:	Landing (LDG)
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Whidbey Island-NAS, WA (NUW), United States of America
Destination airport:	Whidbey Island-NAS, WA (NUW), United States of America

Narrative:
While conducting a Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization check the pilot at controls was allowed to perform his first attempt at shooting an obstacle approach at Whidbey Island-NAS, WA (NUW). This maneuver was inadequately briefed by the pilot in command during the mission brief. The pilot in command, having great confidence in the pilot at controls, allowed him to conduct this maneuver without prior demonstration. After pushing over for the approach an excessive sink rate developed. Upon determination that the approach was getting dangerous, power was applied and the nose pulled up. Due to the combination of slow approach speed, late and in inadequate power application, the excessive sink rate was not arrested, resulting in a hard landing followed by failure of the starboard wing.

CAUSE:
(1) Pilot in command failed to recognize a dangerous situation and take appropriate corrective action.
(2) Pilot at controls failed to properly compensate for excessive sink rate during landing transition. - began transition to landing attitude too late to arrest a high rate of descent for the power applied.

Events:

Sources:
» P-3 Orion Aircraft Location Report (P-3 Orion Research Group - The Netherlands)
» Naval Safety Center
» US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present / Joe Baugher
» VPNavy.org