Casualties unknown

Student Pilot's Inadvertent Brake Application Leads to Nose-Over During Wheel Landing (N6946B)

Rangely, CO, US

On May 3, 2006, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N6946B) was involved in an aviation accident near Rangely, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadvertent application of the brake during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision during the landing. 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

During a wheel landing, a student pilot overcorrected a swerve, then inadvertently applied the left brake, causing the aircraft to nose over and come to rest inverted.

Event Description

During a wheel landing touchdown approximately 1,000 feet from the approach end of the runway, the aircraft swerved slightly to the left. The student pilot applied right rudder, and the airplane "over-corrected to the right." While attempting to apply rudder to correct back to the left, the student pilot inadvertently applied the left brake. The airplane nosed forward "before any further correction could be made" and the propeller contacted the runway. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Aircraft and Pilot

The accident involved a student pilot. The aircraft type, registration, operator, and location were not specified in the source.

Injuries and Damage

No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained damage including propeller contact with the runway and structural damage from the nose-over and inversion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060601X00660. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.