Aircraft: Bellanca 7GCBC. Injuries: None. Location: Sidney, Neb. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, during the landing rollout as the airplane slowed, it started veering to the right. He applied left rudder and left brake to correct the problem. The tail came up, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over.
The pilot reported that when he rotated the tires after the accident, the left tire turned freely but the right tire would only turn with pressure.
However, when the airport manager, who was also a licensed A&P, and local law enforcement officials examined the brake system after the accident, the wheels both spun normally.
Additionally, after the airplane was placed back on its landing gear and towed to a hanger, the wheels rolled normally.
Probable cause: The pilot’s misuse of the brakes during landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
NTSB Identification: CEN12LA556
This August 2012 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Here we go again. Airplane was “veering” to the right so the pilot pushed on the left rudder and brake???????? The STICK is what keeps the airplane from “veering” to the right. The rudder is used just to keep the nose pointed straight (parallel) to the centerline of the runway. This is one of many similar accidents reported where basic flying techniques were violated. This was NOT a “brake” problem.
Between dead feet and lack of control use savvy, a large percentage of Tdragger drivers, are a loss of directional control, looking for a place to happen.
Hey Tom, Are you really a pilot or just a plain spotter of aircraft?
Tom,
Are you a pilot, as your comment doesn’t seem to be of a pilot’s comment.
Had the very same thing happen to me a few years ago in my C-172. The left brake would sometimes almost lock up. A couple of times I could barely taxi. Leave the plane sit for 10 minutes and the brake would work normally. The repair involved bleeding and replacing brake fluid. I never did find out [I was “on the road” and the repair was done by an airport I was visiting] what the actual cause was. I know it started when I was out west, where I experienced higher than normal elevations. My home airport is 1020 feet. Fortunately, with tricycle gear, I didn’t end up doing any damage.