Aircraft Nosed Over During Ground Loop After Landing

Casualties unknown • Driggs, ID, US

An aircraft experienced a ground loop during the landing roll, resulting in the aircraft departing the runway and nosed over on soft terrain.

What happened

The pilot completed the landing under calm wind conditions. While the initial portion of the landing roll proceeded without incident, the aircraft began to drift toward the side of the runway as it decelerated.

In an attempt to correct the drift, the pilot applied corrective actions; however, the soles of his boots became caught on either the rudder pedals or against each other. This prevented the pilot from making necessary corrective rudder inputs for a period of time. By the time the pilot was able to free his feet, the aircraft had entered a ground loop that could not be recovered. During the continued ground loop, the aircraft departed the side of the runway and encountered soft terrain, which caused the aircraft to nose over.

Probable cause

The pilot's inability to provide corrective rudder inputs because his boots became caught on the pedals or each other during the landing roll.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2000-10-17 Cessna 185F accident near Driggs, ID?

An aircraft experienced a ground loop during the landing roll, resulting in the aircraft departing the runway and nosed over on soft terrain.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2000-10-17 involved a Cessna 185F, registration N93981, at Driggs, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inability to provide corrective rudder inputs because his boots became caught on the pedals or each other during the landing roll.

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.

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