On 3 Aug 2008, a Piper PA-20 operated by John A. Grimes was involved in an aviation accident near Grass Valley, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a wheel landing on runway 25 at Grass Valley, a pilot's right foot, clad in cowboy boots, slipped off the rudder pedal, causing the aircraft to veer left. The subsequent left brake application led to a tail wheel striking a boulder and the right wing impacting the ground.
Event Description
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft reported that he performed a wheel landing on runway 25 at Grass Valley. After touchdown, he lowered the tail and began applying the brakes. At that moment, his right foot, which was wearing cowboy boots, slipped off the rudder pedal. The aircraft then veered to the left. To avoid entering a drainage ditch head-first, the pilot applied full left brake. During this maneuver, the tail wheel struck a boulder, causing the right wing to dip down and strike the ground.
Aircraft Condition
The pilot stated that the airplane and engine experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.