Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive application of the airplane’s wheel brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane’s approach speed was faster than he expected, and the airplane landed further down the runway than he anticipated. The pilot was concerned with the limited amount of runway remaining during the landing roll and he applied an increasing amount of force to the brakes to stop the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.