The passenger in the tailwheel equipped Cessna 185 reported that, while the pilot was practicing a touch-and-go landing at the airport in Gila Bend, Arizona, the airplane touched down, and immediately veered right.
The passenger believed that the pilot “froze” on the controls, so he attempted to “intervene,” but the airplane continued to veer right.
The airplane exited the runway and collided with terrain.
The lower fuselage was substantially damaged.
The director of maintenance reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This February 2022 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.
Probably worth mentioning that the passenger was a pilot with a CFI rating.
They’re lucky they both lived. Calls for license suspension and ‘re-education camp.’ Pilots who freeze don’t belong in the left seat.
Regards/J