Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA03LA193

Medford, OR, USA

Aircraft #1

N8351M

Cessna A150K

Analysis

The student pilot reported that she was practicing touch-and-go landings. During the seventh landing, the approach was stable. As soon as the aircraft touched down, it took a hard right turn on the right main landing gear. The right wing and propeller contacted the surface. The student was thrown to the right side, but was able to pull herself back into position and gain control of the aircraft. The student reduced power as the aircraft veered back to the left, eventually coming to a stop. At the time of the accident, the wind was variable at four knots to calm.

Factual Information

On September 18, 2003, at 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A150K, N8351M, registered to and operated by the CAP Aero Club, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at the Rogue Valley International Airport, Medford, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. In a written statement, the student pilot reported that she was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 32. Six touch-and-goes were accomplished successfully. The student pilot stated that during the landing for the seventh, the approach was stable. As soon as the aircraft touched down, "the plane took a hard right turning on its right wheel and hit the right wing tip, causing my prop to also be ruined." The student was also thrown to the right side, but was able to pull herself back into position and gain control of the aircraft. The student pilot reduced the throttle as the aircraft veered back to the left, eventually coming to a stop. The right wing outboard section was damaged as well as the propeller. Additional damage included the engine mount and wrinkles to the fuselage aft of the main landing gear. The Medford surface observation taken at 1053, was reporting a variable wind at four knots. The 1153 observation was reporting a calm wind.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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