Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During an instructional flight, the flight instructor and pilot undergoing instruction (student) performed multiple landings at an airport without incident before heading to the student’s private dirt airstrip. Upon arriving at the airstrip, the instructor demonstrated one landing. The student performed the second landing, and during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the right. Both the student and flight instructor applied the left rudder and brake in an attempt to correct back to the airstrip; however, the airplane continued to veer off the right side of the airstrip, where it struck a dirt mound and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right side of the fuselage and tail sections. A postaccident examination of the brake system revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Both pilots reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 21, 2024, about 1743 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc. A-1A, N56TA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Taft, California. The flight instructor and pilot-rated student were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Both pilots reported performing several landings at Shafter Airport-Minter Field (MIT), Shafter, California, without incident. The flight then departed for the student’s residence to conduct some off-airport landings at his dirt airstrip. The first landing was completed by the flight instructor without incident. The second landing was completed by the student. The flight instructor stated that the landing was normal and when the student attempted to slow down with the power at idle and the stick in the aft position, the airplane began to pull to the right. The student pilot tried to correct the movement with left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued to the right. The instructor reported that he also applied full left rudder and brake to no avail. The airplane continued off the side of the airstrip, where it struck a dirt mound and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the brake system revealed that the brake master cylinder, hydraulic lines, and hardware were intact with no obvious leaks or breaks in the system. Both wheels were manually rotated, and the brakes were activated inside the cockpit, with a corresponding stoppage of the wheel. Additionally, when the brakes were engaged, no sponginess was felt. Both pilots reported that the wind was calm at the time of the accident.