Aircraft Inverts During Landing Following Unintentional Brake Application

Casualties unknown • Anchorage, AK, US

A student pilot's aircraft ended up inverted on the runway after an attempt to correct a directional drift resulted in a nose-over condition.

What happened

A dual instructional flight was being conducted to familiarize a student pilot with the takeoff, landing, and in-flight characteristics of a newly acquired aircraft. Earlier in the flight, the student had successfully completed several takeoffs and landings at nearby airstrips using snow-covered pavement.

Upon touchdown on dry pavement, the aircraft began drifting to the right of the runway centerline. In an attempt to correct the ground path, the pilot applied pressure to the rudder control pedals. This maneuver caused the aircraft to develop a tendency to nose over, which required the pilot to apply increasing amounts of up elevator to counteract. Despite these efforts, the nose-over tendency persisted, and the aircraft ultimately ended up inverted on the runway. The pilot was not injured.

The pilot noted that he was wearing large, thick-soled boots and indicated that he may have unintentionally applied pressure to the wheel brakes while simultaneously manipulating the rudder pedals.

Probable cause

The pilot's unintentional application of the wheel brakes while attempting to correct a directional drift led to a nose-over condition.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-03-09 Cessna 180J accident near Anchorage, AK?

A student pilot's aircraft ended up inverted on the runway after an attempt to correct a directional drift resulted in a nose-over condition.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-03-09 involved a Cessna 180J, registration N9977N, operated by Chris J. Phillips, at Anchorage, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's unintentional application of the wheel brakes while attempting to correct a directional drift led to a nose-over condition.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11900. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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