1991-12-07: Piper PA-22 — Robert M. Brooks — New Roads, LA

Casualties unknown • New Roads, LA, US

Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE RESULTANT GROUND LOOP. FACTORS WERE THE CFI'S LACK OF SUPERVISION AND THE DITCH ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING LANDING THE STUDENT PILOT DEVELOPED A LEFT DRIFT WHICH EVOLVED INTO A GROUND LOOP. THE TAILWHEEL IMPACTED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MUDDY TERRAIN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. ON PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, THE INSTRUCTOR HAD FLOWN FROM THE LEFT SEAT BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE BRAKE PEDALS INSTALLED FOR THE RIGHT SEAT. DUE TO DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCY BY THE STUDENT, THE CFI HAD ELECTED TO OCCUPY THE RIGHT SEAT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-12-07 Piper PA-22 accident near New Roads, LA?

DURING LANDING THE STUDENT PILOT DEVELOPED A LEFT DRIFT WHICH EVOLVED INTO A GROUND LOOP. THE TAILWHEEL IMPACTED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND MUDDY TERRAIN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. ON PREVIOUS FLIGHTS, THE INSTRUCTOR HAD FLOWN FROM THE LEFT SEAT BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE BRAKE PEDALS INSTALLED FOR THE RIGHT…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-12-07 involved a Piper PA-22, registration N3746A, operated by Robert M. Brooks, at New Roads, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE STUDENT PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE RESULTANT GROUND LOOP. FACTORS WERE THE CFI'S LACK OF SUPERVISION AND THE DITCH ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18603. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…