On October 12, 2000, a Cessna 170B (registration N2562D) was involved in an aviation accident near San Carlos, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper and excessive application of brakes resulting from his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After completing a traffic pattern and landing on runway 30, a pilot lost rudder effectiveness at low speed. The airplane rolled sideways, and hard braking caused it to nose over. Winds were from 300 degrees at 4 knots.
Incident Details
A pilot completed one circuit around the traffic pattern and landed on runway 30. Upon slowing to about 15 miles per hour, the rudder lost effectiveness, and the airplane rolled toward the side of the runway. The pilot indicated that as his airplane was about to depart the runway, he "stepped hard on the brakes," and the airplane nosed over.
Witness and Wind Information
A witness reported that the midfield windsock indicated a right quartering tail wind existed at the time of the mishap. According to San Carlos control tower personnel, at the time of the mishap the official wind was from 300 degrees at 4 knots.