AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3
Gulf Shores, AL — February 25, 2014
Event Information
| Date | February 25, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA14CA134 |
| Event ID | 20140225X42414 |
| Location | Gulf Shores, AL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.26920, -87.70090 |
| Airport | Gulf Shores |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO |
| Model | AL3 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The student pilot's incorrect rudder input, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with a runway sign.
Full Narrative
According to the flight instructor, he and the student pilot flew to a local airport to practice touch and go landings and takeoffs. The student pilot flew the traffic pattern uneventfully, and during the final approach to land, the airspeed was excessive. The airplane touched down, and bounced back into the air; the student pilot regained control of the airplane, and touched down in the proper landing attitude. During the landing roll the airplane began to drift to the right, and the flight instructor called out for left rudder input while engaging the left rudder pedal. According to the student pilot, he initiated more right rudder pedal force and caused the airplane to ground loop. The airplane struck a runway sign and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Both pilots reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.