24 Oct 2009: PIPER J4 — John J. McGee

24 Oct 2009: PIPER J4 — John J. McGee

No fatalities • El Cajon, CA, United States

Probable cause

The left-seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The first pilot, a certified flight instructor who occupied the left pilot seat, was conducting a flight review for the second pilot, a private pilot who occupied the right pilot seat. The airplane was equipped with brakes that were operated from the left pilot seat position only. After the landing was completed by the right seat pilot the airplane began to veer to the left during the landing roll. The left seat pilot then attempted to correct back to the right by applying right brake, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported no anomalies with the brakes, which would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • Incorrect use/operation
  • cause Instructor/check pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, vis 25sm

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