A Swift Globe GC-1B pilot undergoing recurrent landing practice with a CFI ground looped and the aircraft left the runway. The aircraft suffered strut; propeller and fuselage damage.
Synopsis
A Swift Globe GC-1B pilot undergoing recurrent landing practice with a CFI ground looped and the aircraft left the runway. The aircraft suffered strut; propeller and fuselage damage.
Narrative
The purpose of the flight was recurrent training for the aircraft owner who; although rated and current in the aircraft; was not proficient for solo or PIC duties. We returned to the airport after an hour of air work and made a straight-in approach to the runway in use. The winds were calm and visibility good. The approach was normal in most aspects; however the pilot tried to flare for landing at too high an altitude. Because of CG (center of gravity) limitations; the normal landing in this type of aircraft is a wheel landing. I helped the pilot correct his glide path; and the touchdown was very good. During the rollout I recommended that the tail be kept up while speed bled off. I did this because the aircraft is not equipped with brakes on the right side; so I would be unable to exert full control when the tail is down. The aircraft is not equipped with a steerable tail wheel. When the speed approached 40-50 MPH I instructed the pilot to lower the tail; which he did. The rollout continued in a normal fashion. Once the tail was down and we had rolled straight for a few seconds; I suggested that the pilot now start braking. When the pilot started applying brakes; the aircraft pulled to the right; about ten degrees off the runway heading. The pilot became agitated. I pushed on the right rudder pedal and found that I was unable to move it. I believe that at this point the pilot was pushing on both brake pedals with no rudder input; effectively preventing me from moving the rudder at all. I believe (and skid marks support) that at this point both wheels were locked and the aircraft continued turning leaving the runway with the nose about ninety degrees to the runway heading. When the aircraft left the paved surface of the runway the left main gear strut failed; followed immediately by failure of the right main gear strut; and the aircraft came to rest about twenty feet off the paved surface pointed about 100 degrees off runway heading. The pilot; who had been in this situation before; turned off all electrical switches; the fuel selector; and initiated egress from the cockpit. Emergency equipment was summoned; I assume by ATC; and arrived a few minutes later. There were no injuries; and damage was limited to the landing gear; propeller; and paint.
Second reporter narrative
I was flying left seat in a two place SEL airplane with the PIC; a CFI; in the right seat. The purpose of the 1.2 hour local flight was recurrent training. Returning to the Class D airport we were cleared for a straight in to the runway. The approach was normal. Speed and altitude 'over the fence' were good. The wheel landing touchdown was good and described by on looker pilots as picture perfect. I lowered the tail to the runway with good directional control. When I applied the brakes I apparently over controlled to the right and ground looped the plane sliding off the runway. I estimate the speed at this point to be about 40 MPH. There were no injuries; no other vehicles/aircraft involved and no property damage to others..
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.