Aviat Aircraft Inc S 2C N44HV accident near Chandler, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing, which resulted in impact with a runway identifier sign, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to take the controls and initiate a go-around.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that he and the private pilot were practicing aerobatic maneuvers and had returned to the airport to practice touch-and-go landings. On the third touch-and-go landing, the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway just before touching down. The flight instructor subsequently took the controls and executed a go-around. During the go-around, the flight instructor felt a slight buffet and, while returning to the airport, he noticed some damage to the lower right wingtip. During postaccident airplane examinations, a 12-inch-long section of the outboard aft spar was found separated from the wing. The outboard end of the aileron to the outboard hinge was bent and distorted rearward from its original position. Examination of the runway revealed damage to a runway identifier sign. It is likely that the airplane impacted the runway identifier sign when the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway during the third touch-and-go landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA065 for the full record.