NTSB Factual Report

On March 10, 2007, at 1709 Pacific standard time, a Found Aircraft Canada, FBA-2C2, N418MS, groundlooped during landing on runway 16L at the Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada. The airplane was registered to a private company and operated as a personal training flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) seated in the left seat, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Reno Tahoe International Airport at 1430 for the local area instructional flight. No flight plan was filed.

According to the CFI, the PUI and his wife hired the CFI to provide flight training in the airplane. He was providing instrument instruction to the PUI during the accident flight. As they were returning to Reno, the PUI told the CFI that he was exhausted and could not continue to fly the airplane. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and performed the landing. As the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down on runway 16L, it bounced and veered to the left. The CFI stated that he applied right rudder with no response and the airplane groundlooped. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained damage to the right wing.

The PUI reported in a written statement that the CFI was hired to instruct he and his wife for instrument ratings. They departed Reno at 1430 to practice several approaches. On the last approach at 1715, the CFI was demonstrating the instrument landing system (ILS) runway 16R approach. The PUI indicated that during the beginning of the approach it was agreed that the CFI had control of the airplane. As the CFI approached the airport, the tower controller requested that they change to runway 16L, and the PUI believed that the airplane was coming in flat. During the landing, the airplane bounced twice. On the second landing, the airplane veered to the left. The CFI then added power and the airplane came to rest on its right wing and gear.

The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator examined the control system following the accident. All control movements produced corresponding movement to the control surfaces. The inspector noted no mechanical malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a groundloop.