Probable cause
The pilot's excessive use of brakes and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing roll and after applying brakes, he encountered a left/right oscillation that increased in intensity as he tried to correct with nose wheel steering. The pilot further reported that before he could get the airplane stopped it tipped over, impacting the runway surface with its nose cone and left wing. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector that the day before the accident he had replaced the two rear wheel brake pads with new ones and was warned not to apply the new brakes too heavily, or a loss of control might occur. The pilot revealed to the inspector that he applied more brakes than he should have during the landing roll. The pilot reported 19 hours flight time in make and model.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for SEA08CA212 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 27, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Spokane, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Felts Field (SFF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Astra
- N-number
- N3115C
- Category
- Weight-shift
- 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.