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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 23, 1996 · Piper PA-18 · N3939Z

Alliance, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alliance, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N3939Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA013

The instructor-pilot reported that the airspeed was a 'little fast' during the landing transition. At touchdown the airplane started veering right. Then the student overcorrected and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left. The instructor-pilot reported that he came on the controls; the airplane entered a ground loop and the left wing impacted the ground.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor-pilot's inadequate supervision by not taking timely action after the student started losing directional control. A factor was the loss of directional control by the student pilot.

Full Narrative

On October 23, 1996, at 1630 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N3939Z, was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control of the airplane during landing. The instructor pilot was unable to take control of the aircraft from the student pilot and prevent the aircraft from a ground loop. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed the Alliance Municipal Airport, Alliance, Nebraska, on a local training flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The instructor pilot reported that the airspeed was a "little fast" during the landing transition. At touchdown the airplane started veering right, but then the student pilot overcorrected and the aircraft veered off the runway to the left. The instructor pilot reported that he came on the controls. He reported that the airplane entered a ground loop and the left wing impacted the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 MDT
Nearest AirportAlliance Municipal (0nm)
Runway8
Runway Length6342 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN3939Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data