During the supervised solo flight in the Cirrus SR20, the student pilot had completed three previous circuits in the traffic pattern in Sanford, Florida, with two of the three landing attempts aborted.
On the fourth attempt, a 70° 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° to the left.”
The student pilot stated that the plane continued left “no matter how hard I pushed the control stick to the right.”
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.”
The NTSB determined the probable cause as 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.
NTSB Identification: ERA14CA205
This April 2014 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.
“Let’s see now – I can’t seem to find any reference to stick & rudder skills on my I-Phone – Ill ask ole Earl, the resident aviator who still hangs out at FEET FIRST FLYNG SCHOOL, (retired CFI?) from flying for 15 years now, if he’s ever heard of Stick & Rudder or whatever that was!”
Nothing says it was his first solo. But pilots need to get stick and rudder skills before flying a computer like the Cirrus. Not an appropriate aircraft for initial training.
The CFI should have shared in the responsibility for this accident. Unbelievable that any CFI would allow a student to solo in such a crosswind condition. The CFI’s certificate should have been suspended if not revoked.
I wonder if that instructor even knows how to use his feet, PeterH. Absolutely an inappropriate airplane for a student or low time pilot. That instructor needs to turn in his instructor rating or limit his instructing to Ercoupes.
STICK AND RUDDER SHOULD BE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BEFORE ANY FLYING IS ATTEMPTED.
What instructor would let his student do his 1st solo in strong crosswinds????
Probably the same instructor who would let him solo in an inappropriate airplane and who would let him solo before he knew how to use his feet.
Money is no substitute for basic flying skills.
If it was 70 degrees off of one runway, it then was only 20 degrees off of another. They have north and south, and east and west runways at Sanford. I also did not see a wind speed posted, so it may have been very light at the start. After several go around, due to crosswinds, maybe switching runways would of been a better option. These are things the instructor should prepare the student for. As far as the SR20, have not flown one, however there are several schools that use them for training.