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GAA18CA192

2018-03-31 · Prescott, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PRC

Current FAA registration · N540DM

Make / Model
CUB CRAFTERS CC18-180
Year of manufacture
2008 · 10 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-360-C1G (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20080508
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6D843

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing after touching down with the left brake engaged. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a training flight, upon landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced slightly. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down it veered to the left. He added that, the student did not react immediately, so he added power and right rudder to correct. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, he added full right brake to avoid a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The flight instructor added that the student had apparently touched down after the first bounce with the left brake engaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that, during a training flight, upon landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced slightly. Subsequently, when the airplane touched back down, it veered to the left. He added that the student did not react immediately, so he added power and right rudder to correct. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, the instructor added full right brake to avoid a visual approach slope indicator (VASI) light, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The flight instructor added that the student had apparently touched down after the first bounce with the left brake engaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - F
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Student/instructed pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA192.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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