Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC11CA076

Coldfoot, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N1258C

PIPER PA-18-135

Analysis

The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane with a 4- to 5-knot quartering tailwind at a remote off-airport site. The pilot said that during the landing roll the airplane veered slightly to the left and he applied right rudder to correct the veer. As he depressed the right rudder pedal, the airplane abruptly nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot suspects that he inadvertently depressed the right brake pedal when he applied right rudder and noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Factual Information

The pilot was landing at a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, which required a correction for a 4 to 5 knot quartering tailwind. The pilot said during the landing roll, the airplane veered slightly to the left, and he applied right rudder to correct the veer. As he depressed the right rudder pedal, the airplane abruptly nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot reported that he suspects he inadvertently depressed the right brake pedal when he applied right rudder, and noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadvertent application of the right brake pedal during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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