Accident Details
During the landing roll, the pilot of the airplane, who was wearing an air cast boot on one foot, requested that the passenger move his feet to the brake pedals and apply braking. According to the pilot, the passenger applied insufficient differential brake pressure, causing the airplane to veer left. The passenger then applied right brake and rudder to correct, but the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and struck a ditch.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he was wearing the air cast boot due to a previous injury. He stated that while he retained full ability to manipulate the rudder controls, the boot prevented him from applying full brake pressure. The pilot also noted that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing as a result of the impact with the ditch.
Weather Conditions
The automated weather observation station at the airport reported wind from 340° at 6 knots approximately 31 minutes before the accident, and from 330° at 7 knots about 29 minutes after the accident. The airplane was landing on runway 02.