Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09CA376

Fort Collins, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N5824D

PIPER PA-22-150

Analysis

According to the instructor, the pilot's previous landings had been “nice.” Upon touchdown on the last landing, the pilot added aft elevator and left aileron control to correct for the crosswind, but failed to use sufficient right rudder. The instructor told the pilot to use more rudder. The pilot added too much rudder, and the airplane yawed to the right. The instructor was unable to correct with opposite rudder. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and the left gear separated, causing the left wing and propeller to strike the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.

Factual Information

According to the instructor, the pilot's previous landings had been “nice.” Upon touch down on the last landing, the pilot added aft elevator and left aileron control to correct for the crosswind, but failed to use sufficient right rudder. The instructor told the pilot to use more rudder. The pilot added too much rudder, and the airplane yawed to the right. The instructor was unable to correct with opposite rudder. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and the left gear separated, causing the left wing and propeller to strike the ground. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a crosswind landing. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's delayed action in regaining control of the airplane.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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