Pilot Debrief

DE HAVILLAND DHC2 near Plattsburgh, NY — 2009-04-12

Final reportERA09LA244
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Date
2009-04-12
Location
Plattsburgh, NY, USA
Airport
PBG
Aircraft
DE HAVILLAND DHC2
Registration
N258PA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper application of brakes during the landing rollout.

NTSB narrative

The pilot, seated in the left seat, was performing touch-and-go practice in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and had just performed a short-field landing and takeoff. Upon landing again, the pilot began to apply braking to the airplane. The owner/pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right seat, felt the "tail coming off the ground" and applied full back pressure on the control column. As the owner informed the pilot to "get off the brakes," the pilot applied more toe brake pressure, causing the tail of the airplane to rise and the propeller to strike the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing aft attachment point was fractured. Metallurgical examination revealed that the right wing failed in forward bending due to an overstress event; the most likely source of the overstress was the propeller strike.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have reduced braking pressure to prevent tail rise during landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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