No fatalities

4 Apr 2017: PIPER PA 22 — Scappoose, OR

Scappoose, OR, United States

On 4 Apr 2017, a PIPER PA 22 was involved in an aviation accident near Scappoose, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot inadvertently applied the toe brakes during the landing roll, resulting in the airplane nosing over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over during the sixth landing of a solo flight after inadvertently applying toe brakes while correcting a swerve.

Accident Description

A student pilot, flying solo in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, experienced a loss of directional control during the landing roll of his sixth landing on an asphalt runway. According to the pilot's report, the airplane swerved to the left and then to the right. In an attempt to correct the swerve, the pilot applied rudder pedal inputs but inadvertently applied the toe brakes, causing the airplane to nose over.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the nose-over event. Damage was reported to both left side wing struts, the rudder, and the windscreen. The extent of damage required repair before the aircraft could be returned to service.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that he had completed several takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern prior to the accident. He noted that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not report any environmental factors, such as wind or runway conditions, that may have contributed to the swerve.

Probable cause

The student pilot inadvertently applied the toe brakes during the landing roll, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedUnintentional use/operationStudent/instructed pilot