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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

May 5, 2013 · Piper PA-11 · N4772M

Soldotna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Soldotna, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-11
Tail Number
N4772M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC13CA043

The flight instructor was providing primary flight instruction to a student pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The instructor reported that when the student pilot departed from the 5,000-foot-long, dry, paved runway, the airplane drifted to the right just after becoming airborne. Unable to correct the drift, the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, and over an area of grass-covered terrain. The instructor said that the student pilot then closed the engine throttle and switched the engine magnetos to the off position, and the airplane subsequently landed hard on the right main landing gear wheel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor was providing primary flight instruction to a student pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The instructor reported that as the student pilot was departing from a 5,000 foot-long, dry paved runway, the airplane drifted to the right just after becoming airborne. Unable to correct the drift, the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, and over an area of grass-covered terrain. The instructor said that the student pilot then closed the engine throttle and switched the engine magnetos to the off position, and the airplane subsequently landed hard on the right main landing gear wheel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportSoldotna Airport (0nm)
Runway07
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width132 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-11
Tail NumberN4772M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · None · None
Crew 2Age 38 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time17:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data