Casualties unknown

Student Freezes at Controls During Landing, Aircraft Damaged in Corn Field (N4278E)

Liberty, MO, US

On July 29, 1989, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N4278E) operated by Liberty Flight Center was involved in an aviation accident near Liberty, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE DUAL STUDENT AS THE INSTRUCTOR TRIED TO RECOVER FROM THE STUDENT'S BOUNCED LANDING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight, a student pilot froze at the controls on landing. The instructor could not release the student's grip, causing the aircraft to bounce and veer into a corn field, resulting in damage.

Incident Overview

A student pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) conducted a training flight to an airport featuring a narrow runway where small aircraft were built and flown. The flight consisted of two approaches to the runway.

First Approach and Go-Around

The first approach was not to the CFI's satisfaction, so a go-around was executed. The specific reasons for the CFI's dissatisfaction were not detailed.

Second Approach and Landing

The second approach was considered good by the CFI. However, during the landing, the student pilot "froze" at the controls and maintained a tight grip. The CFI was unable to release the student's grasp from the controls. Despite repeated instructions from the CFI to "let go," the student continued to stay on the controls.

Outcome

The aircraft bounced during the landing and then departed the runway into a bordering corn field. The aircraft sustained damage as a result of the incident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28942. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.