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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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May 6, 1999 · Wsk Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 Wilga 80 PZL-104 WI · N4UU

Reno, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Reno, NV
Aircraft
Wsk Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 Wilga 80 PZL-104 WI
Tail Number
N4UU
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA170

The flight instructor reported that they were landing on runway 26 and the aircraft touched down on the runway centerline with a slight crab to the left. The flight instructor stated that the pilot trainee 'overcorrected with right rudder input causing a swerve to the right.' The pilot trainee applied left rudder but the aircraft continued to veer to the right. The flight instructor reported that he took the flight controls in an effort to correct the drift, but realized that the 'swerve had become uncontrollable.' He stated that he felt it was too late to recover by applying engine power, so he began to apply control inputs for a ground loop. As the aircraft began to ground loop, the left wing contacted the runway surface. The flight instructor reported that the tail of the aircraft began to rise, and the combination of a slight tail wind, a left wing heavy fuel load, and possible excessive braking resulted in the aircraft pitching over and coming to rest inverted on the runway. The flight instructor reported that the automated weather observation service (AWOS) at the airport indicated that the winds were from the east at 4 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's improper supervision of the pilot trainee and his failure to make timely control inputs in order to maintain aircraft control.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 1999, at 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a WSK-PZL Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 Wilga 80, N4UU, (a Polish manufactured airplane), ground looped while landing at the Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. The experimental aircraft, owned and operated by the private pilot, sustained substantial damage. Neither the airline transport licensed flight instructor nor the private pilot trainee were injured. The local area instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and originated about 0830 from the Reno-Stead Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that they were landing on runway 26 and the aircraft touched down on the runway centerline with a slight crab to the left. The flight instructor stated that the pilot trainee "overcorrected with right rudder input causing a swerve to the right." The pilot trainee applied left rudder but the aircraft continued to veer to the right. The flight instructor reported that he took the flight controls in an effort to correct the drift, but realized that the "swerve had become uncontrollable." He stated that he felt it was too late to recover by applying engine power, so he began to apply control inputs for a ground loop. As the aircraft began to ground loop, the left wing contacted the runway surface. The flight instructor reported that the tail of the aircraft began to rise, and "the combination of a slight tail wind, approximately 8 gallon fuel imbalance (left wing heavy), and possible excessive braking resulted in the aircraft pitching over and coming to rest inverted on the runway." The flight instructor reported that the automated weather observation service (AWOS) at the airport indicated that the winds were from the east at 4 knots at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PDT
Nearest AirportReno-Stead (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length7600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWsk Pzl Warzawa-Okecie PZL-104 Wilga 80 PZL-104 WI
Tail NumberN4UU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPzl-Kalisz · AI-14KA · Reciprocating · 262
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data