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ANC12CA086

2012-08-12 · Anchorage, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport AA06

Current FAA registration · N37WP

Make / Model
PIPER PA-18
Engine
LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560531
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A43374

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The passenger's inadvertent application of the brake pedals during landing, which resulted in a noseover.

Factual narrative

The pilot was landing on a gravel airstrip, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. When it touched down again, the pilot began to apply the brakes, and as expected, the tail of the airplane began to rise slightly. The rear seat passenger did not realize that this condition was normal, and braced his feet against the rudder pedals, which applied increased brake pressure. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing lift struts. The pilot was landing on a gravel airstrip, and the airplane bounced during touchdown. When it touched down again, the pilot began to apply the brakes, and, as expected, the tail of the airplane began to rise slightly. The rear seat passenger did not realize that this condition was normal and braced his feet against the rudder pedals, which applied increased brake pressure. The airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing lift struts. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Unintentional use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Passenger - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ANC12CA086.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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