Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to his foot slipping off the right pedal and becoming stuck between the pedal and fuselage frame, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, with the student pilot on the controls, during the landing roll, the student's right foot slipped off the right pedal and got stuck between the right pedal and fuselage frame. The airplane veered right, and the instructor corrected with left pedal, but the airplane continued right, exited the runway, and struck a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA009 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 10, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Greene County (WAY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aeronca 7AC
- N-number
- N2343E
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.