PALO ALTO, CA, USA
N8662V
BELLANCA 7ECA
ALL OF THE PILOT'S PRIOR FLIGHT TRAINING WAS DONE IN TAILWHEEL TYPE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT HAD MADE FOUR FULL STOP LANDINGS DURING THE PATTERN PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION AND HE SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS DURING EACH OF THE LANDINGS. NO PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TAKEOFFS OR TAXI OPERATIONS. ON THE FIFTH LANDING, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL JUST AFTER LOWERING THE TAIL TO THE GROUND AND THE 'WIND PICKED UP THE LEFT WING.' THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO INITIATE A GO AROUND AND THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. AFTER LIFTOFF THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL STRUCTURES ON THE AIRPORT BEFORE FINALLY HITTING A LARGE TREE ON AN ADJACENT GOLF COURSE. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FLYING CLUB STATED THAT THE STUDENT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS ON PROBATION FOR CONSISTENT PROBLEMS IN TURNING OUT WEAK STUDENTS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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