Not paying attention during Taxi: $30,000 repair, doubled insurance policy premiums!
A Great Lakes was taxing back from a flight on Taxiway Hotel. There was another Aircraft in front, and they both were expected to hold for an aircraft coming out of Gibbs on Juliet. The pilot in the 2nd Great Lakes was talking to his passenger and not really paying as good attention as necessary, and must have stopped doing his S Turns. Tower called and reminded the 2nd Great Lakes that the other GL in front had stopped. The 2nd GL reacted a little startled, and hit the brakes pretty hard. The aircraft went on its nose, bending the prop. No one was injured.
Learning points: Pay attention during taxi and keep a high level of situational awareness. There are too many students around at MYF.
Ensure the brakes are serviced. Don’t fly and taxi it if the Brakes are gunked up or misadjusted.
Hitting the brakes to solve a ground loop: $20,000, and increased insurance policy
A Great Lakes was doing an Aerobatic Training flight with the student up in the front seat. The student was an experienced Tailwheel pilot with significant time in J-3 Cubs and gliders. The instructor in the back seat allowed the student to taxi the Great Lakes to the runway, it happened to be the cross Runway 23.
When the airport switches to Runway 23, the winds are usually pretty gusty and rough. This day was no different. When cleared for takeoff, the student turned almost 150 degrees into the wind while heading to the runway for takeoff. Remember the turning can be a little tricky with gusty winds and the student had started his turn a little fast, the gusty wind, increased the rate of turn significantly and spun the aircraft into a rapid turn. The student panicked an stomped on the brakes. The aircraft went up on its nose quickly hitting the prop tip, then bouncing back down.
Learning points: Be extremely careful with gusty winds and RWY 23. Take the turns slow. Use brakes as required to keep the turning speed down.
When in a ground loop situation, just keep the stick back and don’t hit the brakes!
Poor Airmanship and Bad Attitude: Aircraft $36,000 in damages
The Pilot and a Great Lakes were landing on a calm and quiet day in San Diego. The perfect day for flying happens here on occasion! On landing, the aircraft experienced a tail wheel shimmy and the pilot choose to go off the runway and hit the brakes hard. The aircraft went on its nose and then fell sideways on the left wing tips. This accident caused major damage but no one was hurt.
When asked about the situation, the pilot had a bad attitude and blamed everything on other people. He blamed it on the tailwheel at first, then initially blamed hitting the brakes on the passenger, which was proven false. Remember, as PIC, you are responsible for the mechanical condition of the aircraft before you choose to fly and anything that happens during the flight, especially the landing. Take responsibility! The pilot later threatened to sue in order to get out of the deductible.
Learning Points: AT ANYTIME, you can ‘Go Around’. Don’t think just because you are 10 knots you can’t add power and get the tail up.
Take responsibility. When training this pilot, I noticed he always had an excuse for everything, including a bad landing or approach. Don’t be this pilot, your actions set up and cause your flying situations. Everyone makes mistakes, just fess up.