20021102030419A

(-23) On November 2, 2002, flight instructor, carol anastasia andrews, and her student, michael eric mcleod prepared for a flight lesson at Long Beach airport in Long Beach, California in Cessna T182, N184TA, owned and operated by Mr. Mcleod and his family. The aircraft is currently registered to toms aircraft maintenance inc. for insurance purposes because the mcleod family did not have pilot certificates at the time of purchase. The aircraft is insured with w. brown written by falcon insurance, phone number 800-624-8856. The following is a statement taken from Ms. Andrews: during the first attempt to start, the engine would not fire. At the second attempt, Mr. Mcleod experienced preignition. Mr. Mcleod and Ms. Andrews taxied out to practice touch and go landings on runway 25L. On the first takeoff, MS. Andrews noticed that the ball in the turn and bank was to the right of center. She mentioned it to Mr. Mcleod and he responded that he was not using any rudder. Mr. Mcleod adjusted the rudder trim a couple of turns to the right. Ms. Andrews stated that she instructed him to use his rudder pedals and not the trim to control the aircraft. During the 3rd and 4th landing prior to the accident, MS. Andrews stated that the aircraft veered sharply to the right upon landing. She stated that Mr. Mcleod applied power and that she briefed Mr. Mcleod on downwind to watch his rudder pedal controls. Mr. Mcleod responded that he did not have his feet on the rudder pedals. On the next landing Ms. Andrews stated that she heard another aircraft given the winds as 090 @ 6. She briefed Mr. Mcleod that they would have a slight tailwind. They landed the aircraft without incident and upon lifting the flaps, MS. Andrews stated that the aircraft veered more sharply to the right. Ms. Andrews thought they had an airspeed of approximately 50 knots at that point. At approximately 10:55 am PST, the aircraft was airborne when Ms. Andrews stated that she heard a bang. She stated that she thought they had hit their landing gear on the taxiway sign. She also stated that she did not know exactly where the aircraft was in relation to the runway, therefore she elected to continue her climb. On downwind the Long Beach tower called and stated that fire and rescue would be waiting for them. Ms. Andrews looked around and noticed that the right elevator was hanging down off the aircraft. She took control of the yoke while Mr. Mcleod managed the throttles. The tower stated that the winds had shifted to 300. The aircraft landed successfully on runway 030 at Long Beach airport. Ms. Andrews stated that they did not have any bounces during their practice landings. She also stated that no additional trim was used throughout the practice landings. The following is a statement taken from Mr. Mcleod: Mr. Mcleod scheduled a flight for that Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm PST. He arrived at the airport early and started his preflight at 9:15 am. Mr. Mcleod stated that they took off at 9:45 am in a left closed pattern. On his 4th go around the aircraft started to pull right. Mr. Mcleod stated that Ms. Andrews told him to apply more left rudder pressure. Mr. Mcleod stated taht he had not applied right rudder pressure and that his right foot was 4 inches away from the right rudder pedal. The aircraft continued to track to the right. On the 5th landing with an airspeed of 70-72 knots on final, the aircraft veered to the right as soon as it touched down. Mr. Mcleod stated that he pushed the left rudder pedal immediately. He believes that his right foot was off of the rudder pedal. The aircraft was heading to the grass so Mr. Mcleod applied power while Ms. Andrews brought up the flaps. Mr. Mcleod stated that he continued to lose control and told Ms. Andrews that it was "her airplane." At approximately 300 feet over the runway, Mr. Mcleod stated that he looked back and saw the elevator damage. He stated that he thought that they would have hit the left elevator or the right gear because the airplane was in a 45 degree bank angle to the left to correct its path. Mr. Mcleod stated that he trimmed the nose wheel forward while Ms. Andrews held the yoke forward. He stated that the most airspeed they could obtain was 65 to 70 knots. They climbed to 400 to 450 feet and when they were abeam the tower, the controller stated that they were cleared for any runway. Mr. Mcleod stated that Ms. Andrews took two hands to maintain the yoke forward, while he continued the throttle. (See attached for rest of narrative)