No fatalities

13 Feb 2013: BEECH B19 — BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE — Ephrata, WA

Ephrata, WA, United States

On 13 Feb 2013, a BEECH B19 operated by BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE was involved in an aviation accident near Ephrata, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground roll in crosswind conditions, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A flight instructor reported a wind shear encounter during a touch-and-go landing in a light crosswind, causing the left wing to strike the runway and subsequent runway excursion.

Incident Overview

The flight instructor reported that a student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings in conditions described as a "light" crosswind from the right. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane began to rotate, it encountered a low-level wind shear. This caused the nose and right wing to lift until the left wing struck the runway surface.

Pilot Response and Outcome

The flight instructor took control of the airplane, applying aileron input to arrest the rising wing and right rudder to counteract yaw. Despite these corrective actions, the airplane departed the runway, striking a runway light and a distance marking sign before coming to a stop.

Damage Assessment

Examination of the airplane revealed that the left aileron and the nacelle firewall were bent and wrinkled. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilotStudent pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationSign/marker