Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (cfi), and the resultant loss of directional control. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of brake controls for the right seat occupant.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot and flight instructor were on a student orientation flight, in an airplane that was not equipped with brakes for the right seat occupant. While landing, the student pilot in the left seat applied 'strong uneven constant pressure' on the left brake pedal. The flight instructor reported that, he attempted to counteract the student's left braking input by applying right rudder. The aircraft skidded off the left side of the runway and the right landing gear collapsed, resulting in the right wing striking the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 29, 1995, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N1394T, was substantially damaged during landing near Denton, Texas. The certificated flight instructor and his 3 passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Fort Worth, Texas, at 1030, as a student orientation flight. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. In an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and in a written report, the pilot reported that during the landing roll, the passenger, seated in the left seat, "applied strong uneven constant pressure" on the left toe brake. He further stated that he could not counteract the braking because the airplane was not equipped with toe brakes for the right seat; however, he did attempt to apply rudder control. Subsequently, the aircraft "skidded" off of the left side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in structural damage to the right wing spar and fuselage. -