Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA19CA313

Renton, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N8685S

Cessna 150

Analysis

The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing, the airplane veered left. In an attempt to correct back to centerline, the pilot receiving instruction applied full right rudder. The instructor immediately applied full left rudder and brake to prevent a ground-loop, but the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane's systems and found no anomalies. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 34.

Factual Information

The flight instructor giving instruction in a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing, the airplane started veering to the left. In an attempt to correct back to centerline, the pilot receiving instruction applied full right rudder. The flight instructor immediately applied full left rudder and brake to stop the impending ground loop. The airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that the Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane's systems, which revealed no anomalies. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control and his overapplication of right rudder and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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