Probable cause
The pilot's receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in impact with trees and a house.
NTSB analysis
The pilot receiving instruction toward a commercial certificate in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while practicing a power-off 180° approach, upon landing, the airplane veered sharply right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder; however, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, impacted a tree, and then came to rest after impacting a house.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About the time of the accident, an automated weather reporting station located 5 miles west of the accident site reported that the wind was from 080° at 4 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA161 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 11, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Benton, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Lloyd Stearman Field (1K1)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna L19
- N-number
- N4431C
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1957
- 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.