The student pilot reported that while on his fourth landing in the tailwheel-equipped Aeronca 11AC, the airplane was “a little out of alignment” after touchdown and he “started to lose control.”
He advanced the throttle to attempt an aborted landing, but was unable to regain control of the airplane. It veered off the runway at the airport in Gig Harbor, Washington, to the left. He then decreased the throttle and the plane rolled back onto the runway.
A post-accident examination revealed that the right wing tip struck the ground, which caused substantial damage to the right wing rear spar.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, and subsequent wing tip strike, which resulted in substantial damage to the rear spar.
NTSB Identification: GAA16CA410
This July 2016 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.
These mosty, embarrassing losses will continue, until the FAA & industry accepts that 1930’s era technique is best.
“AILERONS, PROPORTIONALLY OPPOSITE THE RUDDER on take off and landing. Matters NOT if there is X wind or not. Only that there is some RELATIVE WIND.
CFI BUD 1507987.
Trouble -and it’s not “River City”
Tacoma Narrows. Been there, done that. Aeronca Champ ground looped in what was reported as calm conditions. Got a cross wind in flare coming up out of the sound in a south flow. Move the aircraft a bit sideways and it was around faster that I could react. Still fly a tail dragger but not an Aeronca.
Yes, and that 300′ cliff at the south end of the runway can also create some tricky winds when crossing the threshold of 35.