Event ERA10CA500

Factual narrative

According to the flight instructor, the flight departed to conduct airwork and grass field landings. The pilot under instruction was seated in the rear seat, and the flight instructor was seated in the front seat. The pilot under instruction stated that the flight instructor was on the flight controls at the same time since it was going to be his first landing on a grass strip. However, the flight instructor stated that he advised the pilot under instruction, “you have the controls,” and received acknowledgement. On the first touchdown to runway 28, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced and became airborne, then touched down a second time. After the second touchdown, when the airplane began turning to the right, the flight instructor “got on the controls” and added left rudder, which was “ineffective.” The airplane then ground-looped 90 degrees and struck a clump of spruce trees. Post-accident examination revealed that the airplane incurred damage to both lower wings. Neither pilot reported any preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane, and winds were reported as being from 200 degrees true at 7 knots. According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was for the pilot under instruction (PUI) to conduct airwork and grass field landings. The PUI was seated in the rear seat and the CFI was seated in the front seat. The PUI stated that the CFI was on the flight controls in conjunction with him since it was going to be his first landing on a grass strip. The CFI stated that he advised the PUI that the PUI had authority over the flight controls to which he received an acknowledgement. On the first touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced and became airborne, then touched down a second time. After the second touchdown, when the airplane began turning to the right, the flight instructor took over authority of the flight controls and applied left rudder, which was ineffective. The airplane then ground-looped 90 degrees and struck a cluster of trees. Post-accident examination revealed that the airplane incurred damage to both lower wings. Both pilots reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - C