Casualties unknown

Pilot flips aircraft after excessive braking during bounced landing recovery (N2926Z)

Melba, ID, US

On June 3, 1994, a Piper PA-22 (registration N2926Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Melba, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive brake application while attempting to avoid a collision with a nearby residence, which resulted in the aircraft flipping over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting to recover from a bounced full-stall landing allowed the aircraft to drift off the runway side. Fearing a collision with a nearby residence, he applied excessive brakes, causing the aircraft to flip over.

What happened

The accident occurred while the pilot was attempting to recover from a bounced full-stall landing. During this critical phase of flight, the aircraft drifted off the side of the runway. Believing that a collision with a nearby residence was imminent, the pilot applied hard braking in an effort to stop the aircraft. This excessive brake application caused the aircraft to flip over.

The investigation

Post-acc examination confirmed that the primary cause of the upset was the pilot's reaction to the perceived threat of hitting a structure. The pilot reported that variable crosswinds were present at the time of the accident, which likely contributed to the initial bounce and subsequent drift.

Findings

The sequence of events highlights the dangers of over-controlling during a landing recovery. The decision to brake heavily while off the paved surface led directly to the rollover. The presence of variable crosswinds was noted as a contributing environmental factor.

Probable cause

The pilot's excessive brake application while attempting to avoid a collision with a nearby residence, which resulted in the aircraft flipping over.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01615. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.