No fatalities

4 Jun 2015: PIPER PA 18A 150 A150 — WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY — Hay, WA

Hay, WA, United States

On 4 Jun 2015, a PIPER PA 18A 150 A150 operated by WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY was involved in an aviation accident near Hay, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's and flight instructor's improper brake application during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to make a positive transfer of controls. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot and flight instructor practicing off-airport landings in a tailwheel airplane experienced a nose-over after braking during rollout, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Overview

A pilot and a flight instructor were conducting practice off-airport landings in unimproved areas using a tailwheel-equipped airplane. After completing two evaluation passes, the pilot initiated a landing.

Sequence of Events

During the landing rollout, the pilot reported oscillations around the lateral axis. In response, the pilot applied the brakes. The flight instructor also applied brake pressure during the landing roll. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the right wing strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also stated that the accident may have been avoidable with better communication and transfer of controls with the flight instructor.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationInstructor/check pilotPilot