# NTSB WPR09CA260: Stinson SR-8B, N17119, Tacoma, WA, May 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2009, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Tacoma, WA - Coordinates: 47.268333, -122.579444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2683&lon=-122.5794&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73895/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73895 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA260 ## Probable cause The application of unintended braking input due to the pilot's failure to keep his feet correctly positioned on the rudder pedals during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-8B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=8631404), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-8B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8631404), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [Stinson SR-8B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8631404), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a firmer than normal three-point touchdown in the tail wheel-equipped airplane, the pilot's feet slid down low on the rudder pedals, where they inadvertently came in contact with the floor-mounted heel brakes. Therefore, as the pilot made directional control inputs to the rudder pedals, he also made unintended brake applications. Those brake applications resulted in the airplane rolling up onto its nose, and then falling off to one side. When it fell off to one side, the end of the wing came in contact with the runway, resulting in damage to its interior primary structure. The pilot said there was no malfunction of the rudder or braking systems. ## Factual narrative During a firmer than normal three-point touchdown in the tail wheel-equipped airplane, the pilot's feet slid down low on the rudder pedals, where they inadvertently came in contact with the floor-mounted heel brakes. Therefore, as the pilot made directional control inputs to the rudder pedals, he also made unintended brake applications. Those brake applications resulted in the airplane rolling up onto its nose, and then falling off to one side. When it fell off to one side, the end of the wing came in contact with the runway, resulting in damage to its interior primary structure. The pilot said there was no malfunction of the rudder or braking systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17119](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17119), registered now, S/N 9819 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON SR-8B - Registry model: [Stinson SR-8B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-sr-8b) (registry code 8631404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9819 - Airframe hours: 4948 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Culver Donald E - Registered owner: Culver Donald E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2008 - Departed: S50, Auburn, WA - Destination: KTIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: KTIW, Tacoma Narrows, runway 17, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 7, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 81 in this make and model ## 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). - [Incident 20090524006489I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090524006489I), May 24, 2009: Stnson SR8B, Tacoma, WA, Minor damage. (-23) On may 24, 2009 at 20:24Z (13:24 PDT), N17119 owned by [privacy data omitted] landed at Tacoma Narrows Airport. The pilot landed and during the rollout… ## Other investigations on N17119 (1) 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 WPR10CA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA096), Dec 23, 2009: Stinson SR-8B (N17119), Auburn, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73895. 785 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 785 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315011&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.