Event GAA17CA430

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he touched down on the approach end of the grass airstrip. During the landing roll, he did not realize that, his "right foot was resting against the right toe brake." The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip and struck trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not possess a Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificate. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, the airplane touched down on the approach end of the grass airstrip. During the landing roll, he did not realize that his "right foot was resting against the right toe brake." The airplane exited the right side of the airstrip and struck trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not possess a Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificate. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Unintentional use/operation - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation