This March 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Bremerton, Wash. Aircraft damage: Minor.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was taxiing to his hangar when he noticed a pickup truck parked in front of a hangar. He attempted to veer left to maintain taxi clearance. During his manipulating the rudder pedals to steer the airplane, his left foot got caught on something, and the airplane veered 180 ° left. The pilot was unable to stop the turn before the airplane hit a hangar. The impact put a dent in the left wing to the spar, damaged the aileron near the inboard hinge, and separated the wing root from the fuselage by approximately one inch. The pilot suspected the hiking boots he was wearing impeded his ability to manipulate the rudder pedals.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while taxiing. Control interference on the rudder pedals created by the pilot’s footwear was a factor.
For more information: NTSB.gov
