On February 17, 2007, a Luscombe 8A (registration N515SF) operated by David H. Webster was involved in an aviation accident near Compton, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The passenger, having been allowed to land by the pilot, failed to remove his feet from the rudder pedals during rollout despite repeated requests, resulting in control interference that hindered the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During landing rollout, an airplane veered off the runway and struck a parked aircraft and a wall. The pilot had allowed a non-current passenger to land, whose feet remained on the rudder pedals despite requests, causing control interference.
Incident Overview
An airplane veered off the runway during the landing rollout and subsequently collided with a parked airplane and a wall. According to the pilot, no mechanical malfunctions or failures were present.
Pilot Decision and Passenger Actions
The pilot permitted his passenger, who was not a current pilot, to land the airplane. During the landing rollout, the passenger did not remove his feet from the rudder pedals, despite the pilot's repeated requests. This control interference hindered the pilot's ability to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Outcome
As a result of the control interference, the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted a parked airplane and a wall. The pilot reported no preexisting mechanical issues with the aircraft.
Probable cause
The passenger, having been allowed to land by the pilot, failed to remove his feet from the rudder pedals during rollout despite repeated requests, resulting in control interference that hindered the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 17 Feb 2007 Luscombe 8A accident near Compton, CA?
During landing rollout, an airplane veered off the runway and struck a parked aircraft and a wall. The pilot had allowed a non-current passenger to land, whose feet remained on the rudder pedals despite requests, causing control interference.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 17 Feb 2007 involved a Luscombe 8A, registration N515SF, operated by David H. Webster, at Compton, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The passenger, having been allowed to land by the pilot, failed to remove his feet from the rudder pedals during rollout despite repeated requests, resulting in control interference that hindered the pilot's ability to maintain control of the airplane.
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