NTSB Safety Alert SA-060 - Stay Centered

Stay Centered

Preventing loss of c ontrol during landing

The problem

 Loss of control during landing is one of the leading causes of general aviation

accidents and is often attributed to operational issues.

 Although most loss of control during landing accidents do not result in serious

injuries, they typically require extensive airplane repairs and may involve potential

damage to nearby objects such as fences, signs, and lighting .

 Often, wind plays a role in these accidents. Landing in a crosswind presents

challenges for pilots of all experience levels . Other wind conditions, such as

gusting wind, tailwind, variable wind, or wind shifts, can also interfere with pilots ’

abilities to land the airplane and maintain directional control .

Rela ted accidents

Between 2008 and 2015, there were, on average, 161 general aviation loss of control

during landing accidents each year in the United States. The following accidents illustrate

some common and preventable loss of control during landing scenarios:

 The private pilot lost directional control of the tailwheel -equipped airplane during

landing with a crosswind , resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both

wings and ailerons, and both elevators . He reported that, immediately after

touchdown , he felt a strong left

crosswind ki ck the tail to the right. He

attempt ed to go around ; however, a

wind gust pulled the right wing to the

ground. The pilot aborted the

go-around attempt , and the airplane

rolled off the runway with the right wing

still in contact with the ground. The

airplane then spun around onto its

nose, with the left wing contact ing the

ground, and came to rest on its

nose and left wing (see figure 1).

(WPR15CA102 )

Figure 1. Airplane nosed over off of runway.

SA-060 January 2017  The airline transport pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane while

landing with a crosswind, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot

of the s cheduled commuter flight (with six passengers) reported that, shortly after

touchdown, the airplane en countered a wind gust and subsequently veered right

off of the runway. He attempted to

regain directional control of the

airplane, but it skidded off the left side

of the runway into grass , and the

landing gear collapsed . The nearest

weather reporting station recorded

wind at the time of the accident that

would have resulted in a direct 20 -knot

right crosswind. The Pilot’s Operating

Handbook indicated that the airplane

had a maximum -demonstrated

crosswind component of 15 kn ots (see

figure 2). (ERA15LA125 )

 The private pilot conducted an unstabilized approach, landed with excessive

speed, and lost directional control of the airplane , resulting in minor pilot and

passenger injuries and substantial airplane damage. The pilot reported that, as he

neared the destination airp ort, he maneuvered the airplane on a

steeper -than-normal glidepath to avoid tall trees located on the runway’s approach

path. The airplane touched down at an excessive ground speed and began to veer

left. The pilot attempted to regain directional control w ith rudder control and brakes,

but the airplane continued off the left edge of the runway, impacted a culvert, nosed

over, and came to rest inverted. ( WPR13LA267 )

 The airline transport pilot failed to maintain directional control of the

tailwheel -equipped airplane during landing, resulting in substantial damage when

the airplane collided with trees. He reported that as the airplane crossed the

airport's intersecting runway, it bounced into the air near midfield. He then

increased engine power and made a full -stall landing on the remaining runway.

The airplane immediately veered left and departed the left side of the runway into

a grass field . The pilot regain ed directional control and reestablish ed a ground

track parallel to the runway before he attempted to abort the landing and execute

a go-around from the grass field. Although the pilot was able to get the airplane

airborne, he was unable to clear the trees along an airport perimeter road.

(CEN16LA029 )

What can pilots do?

 Evaluate your mental and physical fitness before each flight using the

Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) I’M SAFE C hecklist . Being emotionally and

physically ready will help you stay alert and potentially avoid common and

preventable loss of control during landing accidents.

 Check wind conditions and forecasts often. Take time during every approach

briefing to fully understand the wind conditions . Use simple rules of thumb to help

(for example, if the wind direction is 30 degrees off the runway heading, the

crosswind component will be half of the total wind velocity).

Figure 2. Airplane off of runway in grass .

SA-060 January 2017  Know your limitations and those of the airplane you are flying. Stay current and

practice landings on different runways and during various wind conditions. If

possible, practice with a flight instructor on board who can provide useful feedback

and techniqu es for maintaining and improving your landing procedures.

 Prepare early to perform a go-around i f the approach is not stabilized and does not

go as planned or if you do not feel comfortable with the landing . Once you are

airborne and stable again , you can decide to attempt to land again, reassess your

landing runway, or land at an alternate airport. Incorporate go -around procedures

into your recurrent training.

 During landing , stay aligned with the centerline. Any misalignment reduces the

time available to react if an unexpected event such as a wind gust or a tire blowout

occurs.

 Do not allow the airplane to touch down in a drift or in a crab. For airplanes with

tricycle landing gear, do not allow the nosewheel to touch down first.

 Maintai n positive control of the airplane throughout the landing and be alert for

directional control difficulties immediately upon and after touchdown . A loss of

directional control can lead to a nose -over or ground loop, which can cause the

airplane to tip or lean enough for the wing tip to contact the ground.

 Stay mentally focused throughout the landing roll and taxi . During landing, a void

distractions, such as conversations with passengers or setting radio frequencies .

Interested in more information?

The FAA’s “Airplane Flying Handbook ” (FAA -H-8083 -3B), chapter 8 , “Approaches and

Landings,” provides guidance about how to conduct crosswind a pproaches and landing s

and discusses maximum safe crosswind velocities . The handbook can be accessed from

the FAA’s website (www.faa.gov ).

The FAA Safety Team ( FAASTeam ) provides access to online training courses , seminars,

and webinars as part of the FAA’s “WINGS —Pilot Proficiency Program.” Th is program

includes targeted flight training designed to help pilots develop the knowledge and skills

needed to achieve flight proficiency and to assess and mitigate the risks associated with

the most common causes of accidents , including loss of directional control . The courses

listed below can be accessed from the FAASTeam website (www.faasafety.gov ).

 Avoiding Loss of Control

 Maneuvering: Approach and Landing

 Normal Approach and Landing

 Takeoffs, Landings, and Ai rcraft Control

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Sa fety Institute offers several interactive

courses, presentations, publications, and other safety resources that can be accessed

from i ts website (www.aopa.org/asf/ ).

The National Transportation Safety Board’s ( NTSB) Aviation Information Re sources web

page (www.ntsb.gov/air) provides convenient access to NTSB aviation safety products.

The reports for the accidents ref erenced in this safety alert are accessible by

NTSB accident number from the Aviation Accid ent Database link, and each accident’s

public docket is accessible from the Accid ent Dock ets link for the Dock et Management

System. This safety alert and others can be accessed from the Aviation Safety Alerts link.