Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight, and a foreign object (can) that became jammed under the rudder pedal, which resulted in an inadvertent activation of the right brake.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing a tail-wheel equipped airplane on a remote, 900 foot long gravel area. Just after touchdown, the pilot applied right rudder pressure. The airplane began to skid on the gravel surface, and then nosed over. After the accident, a can of spray wax was observed lodged under the right rudder pedal. The pilot indicated that when he applied right rudder pressure, the wedged spray can allowed the rudder pedal to pivot forward and activate the right toe brake.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 17, 1997, about 1940 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Bellanca 8GCBC, N333HT, crashed during landing in a remote area, about 22 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1855. On April 21, 1997, at 0840, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on a 900 foot long gravel area, located near Lake George, Alaska, and the Knick Glacier. He had landed at that location numerous times, and at the time of the accident, the wind conditions were calm. The pilot landed toward the south and just after touchdown, he applied right rudder pressure. The airplane began to skid on the gravel surface, and then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing tip, the left wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. After the airplane was turned back over onto its landing gear, a can of spray wax was observed lodged under the right rudder pedal. The pilot indicated that when he applied right rudder pressure, the wedged spray can allowed the rudder pedal to pivot forward, and activate the right toe brake. -