The flight instructor of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, with the student pilot on controls, during the landing roll at the airport in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, the student’s right foot slipped off the right pedal and got stuck between the right pedal and fuselage frame.
The Aeronca 7AC veered right, the flight instructor corrected with left pedal, but the airplane continued right, exited the runway to the right, struck a ditch and hit terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to his foot slipping off the right pedal and becoming stuck between the pedal and fuselage frame, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
This October 2019 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.
I used to tell my primary students to wear thin or light soled shoes like boat shoes or sneakers. No place for BIGFOOT especially in a taildragger.
My girlfriend got her high heel jammed between the rudder pedal and the toe brake during a training flight…stupid shoes…lol