N497DA

Substantial
Minor

CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR20S/N: 1843

Accident Details

Date
Monday, April 21, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA14CA205
Location
Sanford, FL
Event ID
20140421X35349
Coordinates
28.776945, -81.235000
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was his failure to compensate for torque, P-factor, and the reported crosswind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N497DA
Make
CIRRUS DESIGN CORP
Serial Number
1843
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2007
Model / ICAO
SR20SR20
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BOSTON AVIATION LEASING II LLC
Address
380 HANSCOM DR
Status
Deregistered
City
BEDFORD
State / Zip Code
MA 01730-2601
Country
United States

Analysis

During the supervised solo flight, the student pilot had completed three previous circuits in the traffic pattern, with two of the three landing attempts aborted. On the fourth landing attempt, a 70-degree right crosswind "blew" the airplane off the left side of the runway. The student pilot then applied full engine power to conduct a go-around, and the airplane "veered left and banked 45 degrees to the left." The student pilot stated that the airplane continued left "no matter how hard I pushed the control stick to the right." The student pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-61-23C, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge:

"The effect of torque increases in direct proportion to engine power, airspeed, and airplane attitude. If the power setting is high, the airspeed slow, and the angle of attack high, the effect of torque is greater. During takeoffs and climbs, when the effect of torque is most pronounced, the pilot must apply sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the left-turning tendency and maintain a straight takeoff path."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA14CA205