Primary finding
Probable cause
The certified flight instructor's improper supervision of the student pilot during a wheel landing resulting in an on ground loss of control (inadvertent ground loop). Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper use of flight controls and throttle during the landing rollout.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was making a wheel landing with a slight cross wind. On landing rollout the tail started to go to the left. The student pilot applied rudder and throttle, and felt the certified flight instructor get on the flight controls. The airplane ground looped before either pilot could correct the situation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 19,1994, about 1430 eastern daylight time, N9354E, an Aeronca 11AC, registered to the student pilot, Victor Bertheldorf, crashed on landing attempt at Lutz, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student and instructor reported no injuries. The local flight originated about 45 minutes earlier. The student pilot stated he was on an instructional flight with his certified flight instructor (CFI). He was making a wheel landing to runway 36 with a slight cross wind from the east. On landing rollout the tail of the airplane started to move to the left. He applied rudder and power and felt the CFI get on the flight controls. The airplane ground looped before he or the CFI could correct the situation. -