Aircraft ground loop during landing instruction

Casualties unknown • Wasilla, AK, US

A flight instructor intentionally ground-looped an aircraft to avoid a ditch during a landing instruction session.

What happened

During a flight intended for a biennial flight review, a certificated flight instructor was providing landing instruction to a private pilot. While the private pilot was operating the controls during the landing phase, the aircraft began to swing toward the right. The instructor reported that despite applying full left brake, the aircraft continued its movement to the right.

To prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway and encountering a ditch, the instructor took control of the airplane and intentionally applied the right brake. This maneuver resulted in a ground loop. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the left wing, and there were no injuries reported.

Findings

  • The pilot applied full left brake during the initial rightward swing.
  • The instructor took control and applied the right brake to execute an intentional ground loop.

Probable cause

The instructor intentionally performed a ground loop to prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway and hitting a ditch after the aircraft began swerving to the right during landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-04-18 Cessna A185E accident near Wasilla, AK?

A flight instructor intentionally ground-looped an aircraft to avoid a ditch during a landing instruction session.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-04-18 involved a Cessna A185E, registration N4557F, operated by James Kincaid, at Wasilla, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The instructor intentionally performed a ground loop to prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway and hitting a ditch after the aircraft began swerving to the right during landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050616X00787. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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