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Airplane checkout ends in rocks

By NTSB · November 15, 2010 ·

This November 2008 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.

Aircraft: Piper Twin Comanche Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Kona, Hawaii. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The commercial pilot, who was receiving an initial checkout in the multi-engine airplane from a check pilot in preparation for his multiengine instructor check ride, was attempting to land in a crosswind. He lowered the right wing to compensate for the right crosswind and maintain runway alignment. The check pilot told him that the right wing was too low, so he raised the wing. The airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. He then lowered the right wing a second time to compensate for the crosswind, and for the second time the check pilot warned him that the right wing was too low. The check pilot stated that the pilot raised the right wing and suddenly landed the airplane, although it was not aligned with the runway centerline. The airplane veered right. The pilot receiving instruction asked for help in regaining control of the airplane. The check pilot took control of the airplane, but was unable to bring it to a stop before it left the runway and went into rocks.

Probable cause: The inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the delayed remedial action by the check pilot, the crosswind condition, and the rough uneven terrain.

For more information: NTSB.gov

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Bob Kompar says

    November 16, 2010 at 5:14 am

    The check pilot should have kept his mount shut so low to the ground. If he did not like the approach being flown, a better desision could have been made much earlier. Go around and get a second look or have the check pilot fly the first approach and the pilot in the left seat fly the next.

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