Summary
On August 13, 2012, a Piper PA-18 (N37WP) was involved in an incident near Anchorage, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The passenger's inadvertent application of the brake pedals during landing, which resulted in a noseover.
The pilot was landing on a gravel airstrip, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. When it touched down again, the pilot began to apply the brakes, and as expected, the tail of the airplane began to rise slightly. The rear seat passenger did not realize that this condition was normal, and braced his feet against the rudder pedals, which applied increased brake pressure. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing lift struts.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC12CA086. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N37WP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The passenger's inadvertent application of the brake pedals during landing, which resulted in a noseover.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot was landing on a gravel airstrip, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. When it touched down again, the pilot began to apply the brakes, and as expected, the tail of the airplane began to rise slightly. The rear seat passenger did not realize that this condition was normal, and braced his feet against the rudder pedals, which applied increased brake pressure. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing lift struts.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12CA086