# NTSB SEA08CA212: Sport Flight International Astra, N3115C, Spokane, WA, September 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2008, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.682777, -117.322502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6828&lon=-117.3225&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 November 10, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69011/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA212 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive use of brakes and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=0590121), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0590121), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=0590121), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/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); cases with it: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0590121), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0590121), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll and after applying brakes, he encountered a left/right oscillation that increased in intensity as he tried to correct with nose wheel steering. The pilot further reported that before he could get the airplane stopped it tipped over, impacting the runway surface with its nose cone and left wing. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that the day before the accident he had replaced the two rear wheel brake pads with new ones and was warned not to apply the new brakes too heavily, or a loss of control might occur. The pilot revealed to the inspector that he applied more brakes than he should have during the landing roll. The pilot reported 19 hours flight time in make and model. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll and after applying brakes, he encountered a left/right oscillation that increased in intensity as he tried to correct with nose wheel steering. The pilot further reported that before he could get the airplane stopped it tipped over, impacting the runway surface with its nose cone and left wing. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that the day before the accident he had replaced the two rear wheel brake pads with new ones and was warned not to apply the new brakes too heavily, or a loss of control might occur. The pilot revealed to the inspector that he applied more brakes than he should have during the landing roll. The pilot reported 19 hours flight time in make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3115C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3115C), registered now, S/N S0600109R, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sport Flight International Astra (S-2) - Registry model: [Sport Flight International ASTRA S-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/sport-flight-international-astra-s-2) (registry code 0590121) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: S06000109R - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George L Balazs - Registered owner: George L Balazs - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 2008, 25 hours before - Departed: SFF, Spokane, WA - Destination: SFF, Spokane, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SFF, Felts Field, runway 21L, 3,059 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 2,003 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: SFF ## 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 20080927846509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080927846509A), Sep 27, 2008: ASTRAS2, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) During the after landing roll out the pilot applied the brakes to slow down. The pilot encountered a left and right oscillation. The pilot tried to… 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.