On March 7, 1990, a Grumman American AA-1B (registration N1492R) operated by Universal Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near San Juan, PR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's loss of directional control during taxiing, which was attributed to the flight instructor's distraction caused by a prior event. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot lost control of the aircraft while taxiing on the ramp, resulting in a collision with a parked plane due to instructor distraction.
What happened
During routine taxi operations on the airport ramp prior to takeoff, the student pilot was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The plane departed its intended path and collided with a parked, unoccupied aircraft before coming to a complete stop.
The student pilot's flight instructor provided context for the incident, stating that her attention had been diverted by an event that had occurred the previous day. This distraction contributed to the loss of control during the ground maneuver.
The investigation
A review of the aircraft systems revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction related to the braking system. The brakes functioned as designed, indicating that the loss of control was not due to a technical defect in the aircraft's stopping capability.
Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during taxiing, which was attributed to the flight instructor's distraction caused by a prior event.