Piper PA-20 near Grass Valley, CA — 2008-08-03

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he made a wheel landing on the runway. He lowered the tail and started to apply the brakes when his right foot slipped off the rudder pedal. The plane veered left and he applied full left brake to avoid nosing into a drainage ditch head first. During this turn the tail wheel struck a boulder and the right wing tipped down and struck the ground.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

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