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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 23, 2004 · Piper J5A · N2364

Kotzebue, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kotzebue, AK
Aircraft
Piper J5A
Tail Number
N2364
Operator
Donald D Knoblich
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC04CA083

The solo private pilot reported that the intended purpose of the flight was to accomplish several touch-and-go landings. As he began his initial takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer slightly to the left of the runway centerline. He said that in an attempt to correct the veer, he applied a slight amount of right rudder, but the airplane continued to the left of the runway centerline. When he applied additional pressure to the right rudder pedal in an attempt to correct the veer, the right main wheel brake "locked up" and the airplane subsequently nosed over. He reported that after the accident he discovered that he had inadvertently been depressing the brake pedal with the heel of his shoe. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent use of the airplane's brakes during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 2004, about 2107 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Piper J5A airplane, N2364, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the initial takeoff roll at the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required for the local area flight. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 23, the pilot reported that the intended purpose of the flight was to accomplish several touch-and-go landings. The pilot said that as he began his initial takeoff roll on runway 17, the airplane began to veer slightly to the left of the runway centerline. He said that in an attempt to correct the veer, he applied a slight amount of right rudder, but the airplane continued to the left of the runway centerline. When he applied additional pressure to the right rudder pedal in an attempt to correct the veer, the right main wheel brake "locked up" and the airplane subsequently nosed over. He reported that after the accident he discovered that he had inadvertently been depressing the brake pedal with the heel of his shoe. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:07 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J5A
Tail NumberN2364
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDonald D Knoblich
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time05:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data