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Plane crashes after pilot’s shoe gets stuck

By NTSB · April 8, 2020 ·

According to the pilot, he landed at the airport in Pensacola, Florida, with a left crosswind with about the final third of the 3,200′ runway remaining.

He reported that his ground speed was too fast, and after his initial brake application, he increased brake pressure and his right shoe became “stuck between the right pedal and the toe brake.”

The Piper PA-28 veered to the right and departed the right side of the runway, hitting a runway light before it ran into a creek where it came to rest.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

According to the METAR located 3 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 310° at 12 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on Runway 36.

Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control and long landing in gusting wind conditions due to his shoe getting stuck on the brakes. 

NTSB Identification: GAA18CA218

This April 2018 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.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. Steve Ross says

    April 9, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Happened to me in flight training, lucky my cfi was with me and he got the plane stopped in time. I had proper shoes on, and it was the same type of plane as this incident.

    • Warren Webb Jr says

      April 11, 2020 at 6:46 am

      Steve – could you talk about how this happens? Are the pedals like these https://www.ebay.com/i/333311293692?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=333311293692&targetid=882460569966&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9003323&poi=&campaignid=9248480868&mkgroupid=99428695328&rlsatarget=pla-882460569966&abcId=1141156&merchantid=8455564&gclid=CjwKCAjw1cX0BRBmEiwAy9tKHua6Aoe6IHjJX8z4qNCjhsq3ZX4EyK5XYzFNNv48_-cIF2fsB-xynRoCD-cQAvD_BwE. Thank you.

  2. gbigs says

    April 9, 2020 at 7:44 am

    He was lucky he didn’t do that on approach in a cross-wing where he needed full rudder control. Wearing the wrong shoes is inexcusable.

    • Ronny says

      April 10, 2020 at 8:50 am

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLHYDIEH6cw

    • Ken T says

      April 11, 2020 at 5:59 am

      What’s a “cross-wing?”

      • gbigs says

        April 11, 2020 at 8:17 am

        It’s the same as a cross-wing except without the type. Once posted, messages can’t be edited on this site. Did you really need the explanation?

  3. Jim Smith says

    April 9, 2020 at 7:01 am

    Sounds like sandals or flip flops 🤔

    • Ronny says

      April 9, 2020 at 7:49 am

      Flip Flops NOT……I fly with them all the time and I even fly barefoot….. I also had a shoe get stuck between the pedals but lucky did not cause an accident…..Have you ever gotten an itchy or cramp in you foot while flying?…..the flip flops I use are so soft and flexible, this could not possibly happen.

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