Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his excessive braking which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was landing on a remote unimproved gravel airstrip that was a “little soft.” After touchdown and during the landing rollout the airplane slowed rapidly, the tail began to rise and the airplane nosed-over sustaining substantial damage to fuselage, left lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident may have been prevented if he had selected a more suitable landing site or applied less brakes after touchdown.