# NTSB GAA19CA370: Kirk Ellis Wendell Ptundradactyl, N357WE, Friday Creek, AK, June 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2019, 18:00 local (Jun 20, 2019, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Friday Creek, AK - Coordinates: 61.341388, -148.355834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3414&lon=-148.3558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99706/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99706 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA370 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive brake application during landing on a short runway due to his lack of familiarity with the toe brakes, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wendell Kirk Ellis PTUNDRADACTYL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05638GB), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Wendell Kirk Ellis PTUNDRADACTYL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=05638GB), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wendell Kirk Ellis PTUNDRADACTYL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05638GB), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Wendell Kirk Ellis PTUNDRADACTYL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05638GB), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a test flight, he landed on an 800-ft-long off-airport, sand-and-gravel surface, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by landing on a surface that "would not [have] require[d] the use of much braking until I more fully acclimated myself to the toe brake setup in this plane and to sort out any braking pressure issues a little more thoroughly." ## Factual narrative The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a test flight, he landed on the 800ft-long off airport, sand and gravel surface, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by landing on surfaces that, "would not require the use of much braking until I more fully acclimated myself to the toe brake setup in this plane and to sort out any braking pressure issues a little more thoroughly." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N357WE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N357WE-2020-02-13), registration cancelled 2020-02-13, S/N 001, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KIRK ELLIS WENDELL PTUNDRADACTYL - Registry model: [Wendell Kirk Ellis PTUNDRADACTYL](https://openairdocs.org/model/wendell-kirk-ellis-ptundradactyl) (registry code 05638GB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Superior/Lycoming SL-0-360-A1X3 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PABV, Chugiak, AK - Destination: Friday Creek, AK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,021 total, 12 in this make and model, 965 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 1 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99706. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.