Aircraft: Remos G-3/600. Injuries: None. Location: Apoka, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot did several takeoffs and landings with his instructor prior to being signed off for solo flight. His solo takeoff and pattern were normal, but as the airplane approached the runway for the flare, it encountered a wind gust that pushed it to the left.
The student pilot’s attempts to correct the drift were unsuccessful. The airplane touched down left of the runway and then became airborne again. He attempted to land on an adjacent taxiway. The airplane came to a stop after the propeller struck a taxiway sign and the left wing hit a hangar.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a hangar.
NTSB Identification: ERA11CA329
This June 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The lighter the plane and the lower the approach speed, the more sensitive to cross winds, gusts, turbulent air. LSA (and European UL) aircraft are actually unsuitable for the training of aspiring pilots.
I do somewhat agree but; I wasn’t there. I do find it interesting how easily accomplished pilots forget what it’s like to be a newly minted pilot or student with a license to learn. You can Monday morning quarterback this all you want but we have all been taken by surprise by ever changing conditions and have been to a point of saturation where the best thing to do is just keep it on the ground instead of trying to salvage a landing that’s so far behind the power curve that it could only get worse, such as, an accelerated stall in a bank. I will give the Instructor and the student the benefit of the doubt; this could have been and often is much worse.
The student was not prepared for the conditions. Second he should, and should have been instructed to, have gone around, not try and land on a taxiway. The Remos likely had a radio. The student should have got away from the ground,CALMED DOWN, and then try it again on the runway remembering the crosswind drift. Flying the wing, A.O.A. had very little to do with this, “V” speeds may have, as airspeed gives control. At the end it ended O.K. the student was not injured, as long as they get back in the airplane this will end well.
Student has not learned, Teacher has not taught. Unusual condition go arounds are a must! both in the Aircraft and on the pre solo written. Less controlled airspace and FAA pushed V- speeds and more concentration on Flying the Wing!!
“EXCELLENT” – student simply wasn’t “prepared or ready”!