CAA: GA News, "Accident Reports"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, April 28, 2000

T6 damaged when its inexperienced pilot encounters a crosswind landing
Accident Reports
GA News


These 1997 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation
Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help
pilots learn from the misfortune of others.

Aircraft: North American T6G.

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina.

Injuries: None.

Aircraft damage: Moderate.

What reportedly happened: The pilot said he was making a crosswind landing
when the airplane touched down twice and veered to the right. He applied
full left rudder and right aileron. The airplane continued to the right and
ran off the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left
wingtip collided with the ground. Examination of the brake assemblies
revealed no abnormal conditions. The pilot said he had 13 hours in the
aircraft.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on
landing. Factors were the crosswind and the pilot’s lack of experience in
the aircraft type.

***

Aircraft: Luscombe 8E.

Location: Wautoma, Wisconsin.

Injuries: None.

Aircraft damage: Slight.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was making his fourth touch-and-go
landing. “It took awhile to get the plane on its mains because of the gusty
conditions,” he said. When he applied power “the engine sputtered.” When he
applied carburetor heat it “still sputtered.” When he pumped the throttle it
“still sputtered.” The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and hit the
brakes. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway into a freshly plowed
sandy field. The main wheels dug in and the plane flipped over approximately
420 feet past the end of runway. The pilot said he believed he had flooded
the engine by applying power too quickly.

Probable cause: Improper use of the throttle. The crosswind and soft terrain
were cited as contributing factors.

***

Aircraft: Cessna 150M.

Location: Ormond Beach, Florida.

Injuries: None.

Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The aircraft’s engine lost power three to four
miles north of the airport at 700 feet while on a practice instrument
approach. The plane was damaged during a forced landing. Examination of the
aircraft revealed no evidence of fuel leaks before or after the accident.
The right fuel tank contained one quart of fuel; the left tank contained two
quarts. The aircraft had flown 4.2 hours since it was last fueled.

Probable cause: The pilot’s poor planning and decision-making led to fuel
exhaustion.


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