SMITH AEROSTAR601
Rock Hill, SC — November 28, 2018
Event Information
| Date | November 28, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA083 |
| Event ID | 20181129X43605 |
| Location | Rock Hill, SC |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.98472, -81.05805 |
| Airport | ROCK HILL/YORK CO/BRYANT FIELD |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | SMITH |
| Model | AEROSTAR601 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper decision to fly with an air cast boot on his foot, which led him to rely on the passenger to apply brakes and rudder, which was performed improperly and led to a loss of directional control.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane while wearing an "air cast boot", during landing, the airplane decelerated, and he asked the passenger to move his feet up to the brake pedals and apply the brakes. He added that the passenger applied "insufficient differential brake application was applied" and the airplane veered left. The passenger applied right brake and rudder to correct, the airplane then veered to the right, exited the runway, and impacted a ditch.
The pilot reported that he was wearing the boot due to a previous injury. He added that he had the ability to fully manipulate both rudder controls, but the boot prevented him from being able to fully apply brake pressure.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 31 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 6 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 29 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 330° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 02.
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.