Piper PA-20
Grass Valley, CA — August 3, 2008
Event Information
| Date | August 3, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA255 |
| Event ID | 20080905X01403 |
| Location | Grass Valley, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.22389, -121.00500 |
| Airport | Grass Valley |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA-20 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking.
Full Narrative
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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.