Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA314

Logan, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

N533AL

CUB CRAFTERS INC CC19

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane decelerated and began drifting to the right. He added that he applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right, so he added more left rudder. The airplane ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the initial lack of rudder response was due to the placement of his feet on the rudder pedals. His feet were too high on the pedal, "causing the toe brakes to inadvertently be engaged during landing."

Factual Information

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll the airplane decelerated and began drifting to the right. He added that he applied left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right, so he added more left rudder. The airplane ground looped to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the to the right aileron and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the initial lack of rudder response was due to the placement of his feet on the rudder pedals. His feet were too high on the pedal "causing the toe brakes to inadvertently be engaged during landing".

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to the high placement of his feet on the rudder pedals, which led to the inadvertent application of the brakes.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports