Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while landing in crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was practicing crosswind takeoffs and landings with the flight instructor. During the second landing, a few feet above the runway on short final, the nose of the airplane turned sharply to the left. The student reported that his flight instructor yelled a command, took over the controls, and added full power. The flight instructor reported that after he took the flight controls, he attempted to go-around, but was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to the left, through low brush, and down an embankment. The tailwheel struck the edge of the embankment, then nosed over.
Both wings and wing struts sustained substantial damage.
The student pilot and flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station, located about 7 miles north of the accident airport, reported that about 8 minutes after the accident the wind was from 310° at 11 knots. The airplane landed on runway 2.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA507