Primary finding
Probable cause
THe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. Contributing to the accident were gusty crosswinds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the landing rollout in gusty wind conditions, the commercial pilot applied too much pressure on the heel brake of his tailwheel-equipped single-engine airplane, which caused the tail to rise. The wind then carried the airplane over on to its back, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing strut and vertical stabilizer.
Source record
Factual narrative
During the landing rollout in gusty crosswind conditions, the commercial pilot was attempting to keep his single-engine, tailwheel-equipped airplane on the centerline of the runway with rudder input and aileron control when he inadvertantly applied too much pressure on the heel brake. This caused the tail of the airplane to rise. The tail hung breifly in the air before the wind carried the airplane over on to its back, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing strut and vertical stabilizer.