Event ANC96LA086

Factual narrative

On June 8, 1996, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N8560C, registered to James Pinker of Fairbanks, Alaska, and operated by the pilot, nosed over during landing on the ski strip at Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fairbanks for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damage. According to the Fairbanks Airport Police, who interviewed the pilot, he stated that the left brake on the airplane's wheel felt like it was dragging. The airplane veered to the left and departed the airstrip. The pilot applied maximum braking and the airplane nosed over, damaging the rudder and right wing struts. On June 21, 1996, the airplane wreckage was examined by Federal Aviation Administration, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office Inspectors Mr. Robert Haxby and Mr. Hugh Keith. They found that both wheels would turn freely by hand. Further examination showed that the battery cable was contacting the top of the left brake pedal. The Inspectors pushed on the right rudder pedal and found that the left rudder pedal and brake would contact the battery cable. As a result, this applied uncommanded left brake. The airplane was modified with a Supplemental Type Certificate which allowed the movement of the battery from behind the baggage compartment to underneath the instrument panel. The cables are secured to the firewall with clamps. According to the owner, the modification was accomplished by Mr. Curt Stolfsus of Homer, Alaska, approximately 3 years before the accident. During landing the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane continued to veer to the left. The pilot applied maximum braking and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane showed that the battery had been moved from the rear of the airplane to a location underneath the instrument panel in accordance with a Supplemental Type Certificate. The battery cable would contact the left rudder pedal and brake when the right rudder pedal was applied. This contact with the battery cable applied uncommanded left brake pressure. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12