Probable cause
The instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student, resulting in a loss of control while landing.
NTSB analysis
The certificated flight instructor (CFI) was providing flight instruction to a student pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The CFI said that during touchdown on the gravel runway, the student pilot bounced the airplane, and as the main wheels touched down again the airplane veered to the left. The CFI said that he took control of the airplane in an attempt to realign it, but it continued to veer to the left and he applied full engine power to abort the landing. The airplane became airborne momentarily, but descended into an area on the left side of the runway and collided with terrain. According to a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, no preaccident mechanical anomalies were revealed during his postaccident inspection.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08LA058 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 26, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tetlin, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Tetlin Airport (3T4)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 7GCBC
- N-number
- N10987
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.