Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DEN08CA025

Cortez, CO, USA

Aircraft #1

N6ZT

Piper PA-18-150

Analysis

The pilot made a full-stall (conventional) landing. When the airplane touched down, he felt "a sudden slowing of the aircraft" and the "tail rapidly coming up." He yelled at the passenger to get his feet off the brake pedals. The pilot said the "passenger had no idea he was touching the brake pedals as he braces himself for landing." The airplane then nosed over during the landing rollout.

Factual Information

The pilot made a full-stall (conventional) landing. When the airplane touched down, he felt "a sudden slowing of the aircraft" and the "tail rapidly coming up." He yelled at the passenger to get his feet off the brake pedals. The pilot said the "passenger had no idea he was touching the brake pedals as he brace[d] himself for landing." The airplane then nosed over during landing rollout. Asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot wrote: "Always warn passengers about the dual controls and to be sure they know where the pedals are [and] to keep their feet completely away from them, especially during landing."

Probable Cause and Findings

The passenger's inadvertent application of brakes, causing the airplane to nose over on landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure top adequately brief the passenger.

 

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