Aircraft Nose-over During Rental Checkout

Casualties unknown • Boulder, CO, US

A flight instructor conducting a rental checkout experienced an aircraft nose-over after the controls moved forward during the landing roll.

What happened

An ATP rated flight instructor was conducting a rental checkout for a private pilot. During the flight, the check pilot instructed the student pilot to perform a landing and, if enough runway remained, to execute another takeoff.

The landing was completed on runway 8R, which is an asphalt runway measuring 4,100 by 75 feet. Throughout the landing process, the check pilot had been following through on the controls. However, during the landing roll, the instructor released the controls to wait for the student pilot to bring the aircraft to a stop.

Immediately after the instructor removed his hands from the controls, the control stick moved forward and an increase in engine speed was heard. The aircraft then swerved to the left. Although the check pilot took control of the aircraft to attempt to correct the swerve, the maneuver was unsuccessful. The aircraft subsequently struck a snow drift located on the left side of the runway, resulting in a nose-over.

Probable cause

The aircraft nose-over occurred after the control stick moved forward and engine power increased once the instructor released the controls during the landing roll.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-02-08 Piper PA-18-150 accident near Boulder, CO?

A flight instructor conducting a rental checkout experienced an aircraft nose-over after the controls moved forward during the landing roll.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-02-08 involved a Piper PA-18-150, registration N4355Z, operated by Boulder Flying Service, at Boulder, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft nose-over occurred after the control stick moved forward and engine power increased once the instructor released the controls during the landing roll.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27711. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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