Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control and proper runway alignment during the landing roll. The proximity of the ditch to the runway was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings. During a landing roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. The student attempted to correct the drift with left rudder, but got his foot caught on the heel brake. The airplane departed the runway to the left. As the student tried to get the airplane back on the runway, it struck a ditch and nosed-over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 4, 1993, at 1800 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8F, N801B, sustained substantial damage when it departed runway 16 during landing roll, hit a ditch, and nosed-over, at the Benton Airport, Benton, Kansas. The solo student pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported he was practicing touch-and-go landings. During the landing roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. He said he attempted to correct the drift with left rudder, but his left heel got caught on the heel brake and the airplane departed the runway. When he attempted to get the airplane back on the runway it hit a small ditch and nosed-over. -