Probable cause
The pilot's improper application of brakes during the landing rollout.
NTSB analysis
The pilot, seated in the left seat, was performing touch-and-go practice in the tailwheel-equipped airplane and had just performed a short-field landing and takeoff. Upon landing again, the pilot began to apply braking to the airplane. The owner/pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right seat, felt the "tail coming off the ground" and applied full back pressure on the control column. As the owner informed the pilot to "get off the brakes," the pilot applied more toe brake pressure, causing the tail of the airplane to rise and the propeller to strike the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing aft attachment point was fractured. Metallurgical examination revealed that the right wing failed in forward bending due to an overstress event; the most likely source of the overstress was the propeller strike.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA244 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 12, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Plattsburgh, New York
- Nearest airport
- Plattsburgh International (PBG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
De Havilland DHC2
- N-number
- N258PA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.