Probable cause
The application of unintended braking input due to the pilot's failure to keep his feet correctly positioned on the rudder pedals during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
During a firmer than normal three-point touchdown in the tail wheel-equipped airplane, the pilot's feet slid down low on the rudder pedals, where they inadvertently came in contact with the floor-mounted heel brakes. Therefore, as the pilot made directional control inputs to the rudder pedals, he also made unintended brake applications. Those brake applications resulted in the airplane rolling up onto its nose, and then falling off to one side. When it fell off to one side, the end of the wing came in contact with the runway, resulting in damage to its interior primary structure. The pilot said there was no malfunction of the rudder or braking systems.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA260 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 24, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tacoma, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Tacoma Narrows (KTIW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stinson SR-8B
- N-number
- N17119
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.