Summary
On August 03, 2008, a Piper PA-20 (N7635K) was involved in an incident near Grass Valley, CA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX08CA255. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7635K.
Accident Details
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
Registered Owner (Current)
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