Watkins, CO, USA
N64796
Boeing D75N1
The instructor said they entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 17 (8,000 feet x 100 feet, dry asphalt), touched down "slightly tail high and bounced slightly (maybe 6 inches). The student allowed the air[plane] to turn right and bank left during the bounce. As the air[plane] touched down the second time, it swerved hard right and began to ground loop. Full left rudder and brake did not arrest the turn. The air[plane] departed the runway to the right, dragged the left wingtip (lower), turned left, dragged the right lower wing, went up on the nose, and came to rest on the propeller dome and the main gear." Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the lower left wing spar, right lower wing, and upper right wing tip. The left main gear was also damaged extensively.
On August 13, 2002, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Boeing D75N1, N64796, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control during a touch and go landing at Front Range Airport, Watkins, Colorado. The airline transport pilot and his passenger received no injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado, at 0900, and was landing at its destination when the accident occurred. The instructor was in the front seat and the airplane owner who was receiving instruction was in the rear seat. The instructor said they entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg for runway 17 (8,000 feet x 100 feet, dry asphalt). The airplane touched down "slightly tail high and bounced slightly (maybe 6 inches). The student allowed the air[plane] to turn right and bank left during the bounce. As the air[plane] touched down the second time, it swerved hard right and began to ground loop. Full left rudder and brake did not arrest the turn. The air[plane] departed the runway to the right, dragged the left wingtip (lower), turned left, dragged the right lower wing, went up on the nose, and came to rest on the propeller dome and the main gear." An oral statement made by the pilot-owner shortly after the accident corroborated the instructor's written statement. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the lower left wing spar, right lower wing, and upper right wing tip. The left main gear was also damaged extensively.
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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