Primary finding
Probable cause
the solo student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot, the sole occupant, was practicing landings in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. During one of the landings, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway into rough terrain and was substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunction was reported by the pilot, nor was any found during the investigation. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 48 hours of flying time in the Cessna 120. Calm wind conditions were reported at the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 4, 1996, about 0745 mountain daylight time, N2595N, a Cessna 120, operated by the Nampa Taildraggers Flying Club, Nampa, Idaho, groundlooped during landing in Nampa and was substantially damaged. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an eyewitness (statement attached): "[The] aircraft touched down and started porpoising. It looked like he was about to get the aircraft under control, but then it turned left and groundlooped off the left side of the runway." According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Boise, Idaho, the student pilot lost directional control during landing, swerved off the runway, and collided with rough terrain. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot or the inspector. The student pilot had accumulated a total of 48 hours of flying time in the Cessna 120. Calm wind conditions were reported at the time of the accident. -