No fatalities

13 Oct 2018: Piper J3C — Shangri-LA Aviation — Camas, WA

Camas, WA, United States

On 13 Oct 2018, a Piper J3C operated by Shangri-LA Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Camas, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. 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

During a student pilot's first solo in a tailwheel airplane, the aircraft veered left on landing roll. The student overcorrected with right rudder, causing the plane to exit the runway and strike a pole with its left wing, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A flight instructor reported that a student pilot was conducting their first solo flight in a tailwheel-equipped airplane when an accident occurred during the landing roll of the fourth landing. The instructor stated that as the airplane touched down, it veered to the left. The student pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right rudder input but overcorrected and was unable to stop the veer. The airplane continued off the runway, and the left wing collided with a pole, causing substantial damage.

Damage and Mechanical Condition

According to the instructor, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. No preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions were identified that would have prevented normal operation.

Investigation Attempts

The investigator-in-charge made multiple attempts to contact the student pilot to gather additional information but was unsuccessful.

Contributing factors

Causes

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome