No fatalities

Student's Grip Prevents Instructor Intervention in Crosswind Landing Accident

Terre Haute, IN, United States

On June 7, 2019, a Diamond DA20 C1 operated by Indiana State University was involved in an aviation accident near Terre Haute, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and to relinquish the flight controls to the flight instructor when told to do so while landing in gusting, crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway lighting. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1785761257Data APIEditorial standards

During crosswind landing practice, a student pilot flared too early, causing a balloon. The instructor called for a go-around but could not take control due to the student's tight grip. The airplane skidded off the runway and struck lights, sustaining substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A flight instructor reported that while a student pilot was practicing crosswind landings, with the instructor shadowing on the flight controls, the instructor emphasized maintaining crosswind correction and suggested beginning the landing flare closer to the runway. The student flared too early, causing the airplane to balloon. The airplane then drifted left in a nose-high, low-airspeed situation. The instructor called for a go-around and attempted to take control, but the student maintained a very strong grip on the control stick, preventing the instructor from making significant control inputs. The airplane subsequently landed and skidded off the left side of the runway, impacting runway lights.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

Mechanical Condition

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Information

About 8 minutes after the accident, the airport's automated weather observation station reported wind from 080° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The student pilot had landed the airplane on runway 05.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotHeading/course — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation