Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll, when his foot became lodged between the rudder pedal and the heel brake. An additional factor is a fence near the area where he was taking off from.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On July 6, 2003, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Druckman 102 tail wheel-equipped aircraft, N102DR, registered to and being flown by an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), struck a fence during an aborted takeoff from a private field in Alsea, Oregon. Neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll his left foot became lodged between the left rudder pedal and the left heel brake. When the airplane started to veer to the left, the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but was unable to maintain directional control because of his lodged left foot. He therefore elected to abort the takeoff, but during his attempt to stop the aircraft, it departed the left side of the runway and impacted a fence.
According to the pilot, there were no indications of any malfunctions in the aircraft's braking or tailwheel steering systems.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA03LA126