No fatalities

15 Apr 2018: PIPER PA 28-161 161 — WRONG BROS AVIATOR TRAINING SCHOOL LLC — Pensacola, FL

Pensacola, FL, United States

On 15 Apr 2018, a PIPER PA 28-161 161 operated by WRONG BROS AVIATOR TRAINING SCHOOL LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Pensacola, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s loss of directional control and long landing in gusting wind conditions due to his shoe getting stuck on the brakes. 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 pilot landed with a left crosswind on the final third of a 3,200-ft runway, reported excessive ground speed and a stuck brake pedal, causing the aircraft to veer right, strike a runway light, and collide with a creek, resulting in substantial damage.

Landing and Incident

According to the pilot, the landing was performed with a left crosswind, touching down on approximately the final third of the 3,200-foot runway. The pilot reported that ground speed was too fast. After initially applying brakes, he increased brake pressure, at which point his right shoe became stuck between the right pedal and the toe brake. The aircraft then veered to the right, exited the runway's right side, struck a runway light, and collided with a creek, where it came to rest.

Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

Weather Conditions

A METAR from a station 3 nautical miles from the accident site, reporting near the time of the event, indicated wind from 310 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 36.

Performance Data

According to the Manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook, the performance landing chart specifies a minimum ground roll of 560 feet for the airplane.

Pilot's Statements

The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In the Recommendation section of the NTSB Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had aborted the landing earlier or diverted to an airport with more favorable wind conditions.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotEffect on operationDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedCapability exceeded

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome