N7635K

Substantial
None

Piper PA-20S/N: 20-454

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, August 3, 2008
NTSB Number
LAX08CA255
Location
Grass Valley, CA
Event ID
20080905X01403
Coordinates
39.223888, -121.004997
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
20-454
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1950
Model / ICAO
PA-20PA20
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
PA-20

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
GRIMES JOHN A
Address
PO BOX 1324
City
NEVADA CITY
State / Zip Code
CA 95959-1324
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he made a wheel landing at Grass Valley's runway 25. He dropped the tail and started to apply the brakes when his right foot slipped off the rudder pedal, he was wearing cowboy boots. The plane veered left and he applied full left brake to avoid nosing into a drainage ditch head first. During this turn the tail wheel struck a boulder and the right wing tipped down and struck the ground.

The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA255