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Flight instructor’s crosswind landing goes awry

By NTSB · March 11, 2020 ·

The flight instructor reported that, during the last landing of the day at the airport in Ontario, Oregon, which he performed in crosswind conditions, the tailwheel-equipped American Champion 7GCBC bounced.

During the bounce, the airplane rolled right, and the right main landing gear touched down.

Subsequently, once both main landing gear were on the runway, the airplane veered sharply to the right and he lost directional control.

The airplane exited the right side of the runway, the right main landing gear spindle and tire separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front spar.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The flight instructor landed on Runway 33.

Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, in crosswind conditions.

NTSB Identification: GAA18CA176

This March 2018 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.

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. Captain says

    May 27, 2020 at 7:39 am

    Way too much emphasis on ailerons during a X wind landing and way too little on rudder input.

  2. David White says

    March 12, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    One of the problems with tailwind components , as here , is , apart from higher touchdown speeds, the reduced or zero effect of flight controls when the rollout speed approaches that component. It seems that probably is the reason here .

    • Warren Webb Jr says

      March 12, 2020 at 10:07 pm

      Could be. Another thought is after the bounce, a cross-controlled stall. The pilot would have had left aileron/right rudder, so the right wing would probably have stalled first (lower right aileron creating higher angle of attack of right wing), causing the roll to the right.

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