# NTSB LAX08CA255: Piper PA-20, N7635K, Grass Valley, CA, August 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2008, 17:00 local (Aug 3, 2008, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Grass Valley, CA - Coordinates: 39.223888, -121.004997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2239&lon=-121.0050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA255 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to his foot slipping off one rudder pedal while braking. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a wheel landing on the runway. He lowered the tail and started to apply the brakes when his right foot slipped off the rudder pedal. The plane veered left and he applied full left brake to avoid nosing into a drainage ditch head first. During this turn the tail wheel struck a boulder and the right wing tipped down and struck the ground. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he made a wheel landing at Grass Valley's runway 25. He dropped the tail and started to apply the brakes when his right foot slipped off the rudder pedal, he was wearing cowboy boots. The plane veered left and he applied full left brake to avoid nosing into a drainage ditch head first. During this turn the tail wheel struck a boulder and the right wing tipped down and struck the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7635K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7635K), registered now, S/N 20-454, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-454 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John A. Grimes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 4CA2, Brentwood, CA - Destination: KGOO, Grass Valley, CA - Airport: KGOO, Grass Valley, runway 25, 4,350 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 404 total, 183 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080802848599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802848599A), Aug 2, 2008: Piper PA20, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing, the pilot attempted to slow down by using the brakes. His right foot slid off the right brake causing differential braking. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7635K (2) 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. - [NTSB ANC26FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA057), Jun 18, 2026: Piper PA20 (N7635K), Cordova, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB SEA77FTA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTA22), May 1, 1977: Piper PA-20 (N7635K), Ismay, MT, substantial damage 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.