Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and the certificated flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during a go-around.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), he was giving instruction to another pilot who was not rated in special light sport weight-shift airplanes. During touchdown, the airplane bounced and the CFI instructed the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) to perform a go-around. The PUI pushed the control bar and the airplane stalled. The airplane to roll to the left and the left wingtip contacted the ground, resulting in the airplane tumbling in a cartwheel-type movement. The CFI stated that the PUI was seated in the rear seat and therefore had more leverage than his controls. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage was sustained to fuselage structure.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the flight instructor, he was giving flight instruction to another pilot who was not rated in special light sport weight-shift airplanes. The pilot receiving instruction was flying the airplane at the time of the accident from the front seat, with the flight instructor in the rear seat. Upon landing, the airplane bounced and when the flight instructor called for a go-around, the pilot receiving instruction pushed the control bar "out too far," causing the airplane to stall. The stall caused the airplane to roll to the left, touch the left wingtip to the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled. The flight instructor stated that the pilot receiving instruction had more leverage than the rear seat pilot's "instructor bars." Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the entire fuselage.