NTSB Factual Report

On January 26, 2003, about 1150 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182R, N9973H, registered to an individual, and operated by Dean Aviation Inc., impacted with bushes at the Everglades Airpark, Everglades City, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot/CFI (certified flight instructor) and commercial-rated student pilot reported no injuries. The FAA determined that the CFI flying in the right seat was the pilot-in-command. The flight had originated from Miami, Florida, at 1000.

According to the CFI, while on a training flight, and during a touch-and-go landing, with the student pilot on the controls, "...the left main gear blew up." The airplane veered to the left, departed the runway, and entered into grass. The CFI said, "...we tried to turn to the right, but lost control of the aircraft, and it went into the bushes." The CFI stated, under the recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the "pilot used brakes on landing...needs to use rudder only for landing, and feet need to stay below the brakes."

NTSB Probable Cause

student pilot's improper use of the brakes at the landing touchdown which caused the left main landing gear tire to burst, resulting in the student and certified flight instructor pilots not being able to maintain control of the airplane, and the subsequent impact with bushes.