The Starduster II pilot told investigators that during landing at the airport in Norwich, New York, his right foot slipped off the rudder pedal and became wedged between the pedal and the adjacent airplane structure.
He partially freed his right foot and attempted to regain control when his left foot became wedged between the left pedal and the airplane structure.
The pilot was unable to regain directional control and the airplane veered off the runway and hit terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower left wing.
The pilot reported that he was not aware of any pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing rollout due to interference from the pilot’s foot/shoe with the airplane structure that resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
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This June 2023 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 wonder if the NTSB reads these? A few years ago someone else had this happen, and they rubber stamped it as pilot error. I noted then that this was a design flaw (if I remember how I phrased it).
And as the DAR did for poster Steven W (in his post in this comment area), this should have been caught by either a DAR or DER.
And I think that the NTSB missed by not identifying this as a design flaw/error.
Probably would not have happened with heel brakes…
When I got my Experimental Aircraft inspected the DAR spent a significant about of time verifying control continuity and specifically if the controls could be “stuck” or “impeded” in a certain position by a foot/leg/hand/arm etc… Specifically, with me sitting in both seats going through a lot of full control deflection exercises. He made very specific recommendations on changes I initially deemed minor (Ex: shorten the control stick 1/2″) which included some changes to the rudder pedals where a potential “stuck foot” situation could manifest itself in the right conditions. I have since talked with other builders about that inspection and found that my experience was in the minority versus the standard inspection process. Additionally, I have been in other home-built (and sometimes certified!) aircraft where there was an obvious “pinch-point” in the controls and have recommended to the owner to correct that.
In my Starduster Two, I switch to different shoes because most normal shoes have a wide enough sole in the ball area of the foot to feel wedged in. There is not enough wiggle room to slide your feet up and down to operate the brakes properly.
Didn’t know Big Foot owned an airplane (:>))
Regards/J
I don’t know it reminds me of the line from the Expendables movie when Dolph Lundgren is fighting Jet Li “What do you wear, size 3, BRING IT HAPPY FEET”
I was born in Norwich. My dad and uncle learned to fly there in the early forties. My dad taught me to fly while I was in high school in the 60’s.
I flew to Norwich NY a couple of times with an instrument student. Dairy farming is a significant industry in that area. I’ll never forget that we could smell the airport practically before seeing it.
I’m guessing that wasn’t 100ll you were smelling.