On June 4, 1988, an American AA-1 (registration N6181L) operated by Ronald Deahr was involved in an aviation accident near Hemet, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent collision with a tetrahedron. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot conducting a solo instructional night cross-country flight bounced during landing, added power on the second bounce, and collided with a tetrahedron. No mechanical issues were reported.
What happened
The accident occurred during a solo instructional night cross-country flight. The pilot was attempting to land the aircraft when it touched down on the runway. Immediately after touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air. Upon coming back down between the runway and the taxiway for a second bounce, the pilot applied additional power.
Instead of recovering or aborting the landing, the airplane continued moving in a straight path along the ground. It subsequently collided with a tetrahedron located near the runway environment. There were no reported mechanical failures or malfunctions during the accident sequence.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the primary issue was not equipment failure. Investigators found no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the accident. The sequence of events was driven by the flight dynamics of a bounced landing and the pilot's decision to add power rather than execute a go-around.
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent collision with a tetrahedron.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 4 Jun 1988 American AA-1 accident near Hemet, CA?
A pilot conducting a solo instructional night cross-country flight bounced during landing, added power on the second bounce, and collided with a tetrahedron. No mechanical issues were reported.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Jun 1988 involved an American AA-1, registration N6181L, operated by Ronald Deahr, at Hemet, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent collision with a tetrahedron.
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