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NTSB Report

July 12, 2019 · Piper PA 20 Undesignat · N7409K

Hamilton, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hamilton, MT
Aircraft
Piper PA 20 Undesignat (1950)
Tail Number
N7409K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA408

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, upon landing and approaching the taxiway he intended to exit, he lifted his feet from the "rudderbars" to engage the brakes. The airplane abruptly entered a left turn, and he thought he used the right rudder, but he mistakenly used brake pedal. Immediately thereafter, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believes the accident could have been avoided "if [he] had kept [his] feet on the rudderbars until [the airplane] had exited the runway."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of directional control due to his unintentional use of brakes instead of the rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, upon landing and approaching the taxiway he intended to exit, he lifted his feet from the "rudderbars" to engage the brakes. The airplane abruptly entered into a left turn and he "jabbed at the right rudder," but mistakenly utilized brake pedal. The airplane immediately nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 010° at 6 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 34. The pilot reported that he believes the accident could have been avoided "if [he] had kept [his] feet on the rudderbars until [he] had exited the runway."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 MDT
Nearest AirportRavalli County (0nm S)
Runway34
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 20 Undesignat
Tail NumberN7409K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 74 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data