No fatalities

12 Jul 2014: AERONCA 65CA — Pulaski, WI

Pulaski, WI, United States

On 12 Jul 2014, an AERONCA 65CA was involved in an aviation accident near Pulaski, WI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's improper flight control inputs resulting in a loss of control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During touch-and-go landing practice on a turf strip, a student pilot's erratic rudder inputs led to loss of directional control. The instructor attempted a go-around but the airplane veered left, struck a ground depression, and sustained substantial damage.

Accident Details

A flight instructor and student pilot were conducting landing practice on a turf strip. During the first landing, the touchdown was normal until the student pilot applied full right rudder, immediately followed by full left rudder. The flight instructor attempted to regain directional control and initiated a go-around.

Sequence of Events

As the airplane departed the turf strip to the left, it entered the grass area alongside the strip. The airplane's momentum slowed as it rolled through the grass. The instructor reduced the engine throttle to idle and applied the brakes. Despite these actions, the airplane continued to roll and eventually collided with a ground depression associated with a nearby motocross track.

Damage

Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and firewall. There were no reported mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Instructor/check pilotContributed to outcome