On December 6, 1988, an Aeronca 11AC (registration N86073) operated by Mclendon, Morris L. was involved in an aviation accident near Tampa, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a crosswind, aggravated by over-application of the controls and adding full throttle. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a crosswind landing, the pilot lost directional control, over-applied controls, and added full throttle, causing the aircraft to depart the runway and hit a fence. The check pilot could not regain control due to the pilot's inputs and lack of brakes on his side.
Incident Overview
According to the pilot's statement, the flight was conducting a landing in crosswind conditions. The pilot reported that he failed to maintain directional control during the landing. He further stated that he aggravated the loss of control by over-applying the controls and adding full throttle, which led to the aircraft departing the runway and colliding with a fence.
Contributing Factors
The pilot noted that the check pilot was unable to regain control because of the pilot's control inputs and the fact that the check pilot did not have brakes on his side.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was on landing approach in crosswind conditions. During the landing, the pilot lost directional control. The pilot's subsequent over-application of controls and addition of full throttle exacerbated the situation, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. The aircraft then struck a fence.
The check pilot attempted to intervene but was unable to regain control due to the ongoing pilot inputs and the absence of brakes on the check pilot's side.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a crosswind, aggravated by over-application of the controls and adding full throttle.