The pilot was performing an instrument approach to the runway at the airport in Ionia, Michigan, following a local flight. The Cessna 182 was configured with full flaps and the pilot’s intention was to perform a three-point landing. [Editor’s Note: Cessna 182A with tailwheel conversion kit installed.]
The wind was reported as calm, however the pilot reported seeing smoke that indicated there was a light crosswind from the right.
After touching down on the runway the tailwheel began to “shimmy violently,” and the airplane began to drift to the left.
He applied rudder to get the airplane to track “a straight path” and then turned right to correct back to the runway’s centerline. To recorrect to the centerline, he applied full left rudder.
At that point, either the pilot’s “left shoe caught on something and jammed the pedal, or the left rudder pedal [became] stuck in the full left rudder position.”
He couldn’t move the pedal to maintain directional control and the airplane ground looped, causing substantial damage to the right aileron and the right elevator.
A post-accident examination showed no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing was the pilot getting his shoe caught in the rudder pedal.
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This May 2020 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.
Best shoes to wear for flying are indoor soccer shoes. They are narrower than other athletic shoes and have a rounded heel. Tuck the laces in as if you were going to ride a bike so they don’t get caught on something.
It wasn’t pilot error it was Stupid Pilot Trick and maybe poor maintenance. This was a tailwheel conversion 182.
The conversion says if a shimmy occurs to get the tail up(power as necessary), get control, then use brakes.
It was determined that a shimmy could have occurred because tailwheel was not set right, be also could have be damaged in accident.
After three attempts, the shoe getting caught was recreated because the stitching came loose allowing the leather to stick out.
Not error but Stupid Pilot Trick.
A crosswind is countered with a slip or a crab. Both rudder and ailerons are used.
My guess was loose shoe laces.
Tailwheel shimmy is a bad bearing in the tailwheel.
Besides the shoe humor, if the airplane drifts in the landing from a crosswind, that’s corrected with aileron, not rudder. Using rudder apparently started a zigzag ground track which may have lead to over-correction.
So, I’m swerving left because of a left crosswind. Which way do I put the ailerons? Are you saying to not use ANY rudder?? (Asking for a friend)
I had that problem in my early days of student training. I began to fly with my moccasins. Leave the stiff leather shoes or boots at home.. I use the balls of my feet so I have a better feel of the pressure needed. . When it’s time for brakes I put my entire foot on the pedals and use my toes to apply the pressure needed as required for brakes and steering.. My cowboy boots are not for flying. Also try to control with a finger and thumbs. . Use trim as necessary for a soft touch. That’s not for all Acft but works with my Piper 140 Cherokee… Fly safe!
Rubber stamp: Pilot error.
Let’s look at this probable cause by the NTSB:
“Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing was the pilot getting his shoe caught in the rudder pedal.”
What caused the pilot to be unable to maintain directional control?
Having a shoe caught in the rudder peddle.
How did the shoe get caught in the rudder peddle?
Pilot operating the peddles to maintain control.
———–
So Pilot’s failure was caused by a mechanical issue where a shoe bound the rudder peddle. It was not Pilot’s failure to effect proper control inputs, but control inputs could not be effected because the rudder peddle was effectively jammed.
This is the second one of these where a shoe somehow got stuck in the rudder peddles — the first one I read was that the pilot had his foot stuck under the rudder peddle and couldn’t get it freed in time.
And like I said there, had this been a 135/12x flight, something would have been said about the design, and possibly an AD or SD would have been generated.
But this being GA, the pilot had to be in error.
Had a girlfriend wedge her high heel between the rudder and toe brake during a training flight. Fortunately it wasn’t at a critical moment.
You aren’t complaining, are you? ;-p
You can’t fly an aircraft wearing clodhoppers!
Or cowboy boots!
When I was learning to fly a J3 Cub, I used to take my shoes off to have better feel. Worked great until one day my shoe that was in the back cubby got caught by the wind from the open window and flew right out. Had to walk around the airport with one shoe the rest of the day