Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, during the landing roll in the experimental tailwheel airplane, the airplane drifted to the right slowly into a grassy area and struck a drainage ditch. The pilot stated that he applied left brake to correct for the drift, but was unsuccessful. After the accident, the airplane was placed on jacks to allow the left main wheel assembly to be rotated. The right brake line was capped off and the brake system was serviced. Once the preparation was complete, the left wheel was rotated by hand. When pressure was applied to the left brake pedal, the left wheel stopped rotating. Additional pressure was applied in an attempt to move the left wheel, with no success. The left brake functioned properly during the test and no other preimpact anomalies were noted. The winds were recorded as calm about the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA330 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Culpeper, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
YAK-11
- N-number
- N7YK
- 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.