Casualties unknown

2000-10-17: Cessna 185F (N93981) — Driggs, ID

Driggs, ID, US

On October 17, 2000, a Cessna 185F (registration N93981) was involved in an aviation accident near Driggs, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors include soft terrain adjacent to the runway. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During landing in calm winds, the aircraft drifted sideways. The pilot's boots caught on rudder pedals, preventing corrective inputs. The ensuing ground loop led to departing the runway, soft terrain, and nosing over.

Incident Summary

A pilot experienced a ground loop and subsequent nose-over during the landing roll in calm wind conditions. The accident occurred after the aircraft began to decelerate and drift toward the side of the runway.

Sequence of Events

The landing was initially uneventful, with calm winds and a normal touchdown. As the aircraft decelerated, it started to deviate laterally, drifting toward the edge of the runway. The pilot initiated corrective actions, but at that moment, the soles of his boots became caught on either the rudder pedals or each other. This entanglement temporarily prevented the pilot from making necessary rudder inputs to correct the drift. By the time he freed his feet, the aircraft had entered a ground loop. The pilot was unable to recover from the ground loop, and the aircraft continued its rotation, departing the side of the runway. Upon leaving the paved surface, the aircraft encountered soft terrain, which caused it to nose over.

Conclusion

The investigation documented the sequence of events as described, noting the pilot's temporary inability to apply rudder due to his boots being caught. No further analysis or causal factors were provided in the source material.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22253. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.