The pilot receiving instruction toward a commercial certificate in the tailwheel-equipped Cessna L19 reported that, while practicing a power-off 180° approach, the airplane veered sharply to the right upon landing. He attempted to correct with opposite rudder, however the plane exited the right side of the runway, hit a tree, then a house.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings.
About the time of the accident, an automated weather reporting station, located 5 miles west of the accident site, reported that the wind was from 080° at 4 knots. The pilot landed on Runway 17 at the airport in Benton, Kansas.
The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in impact with trees and a house.
This March 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
