Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper touchdown on a soft landing area, resulting in a nose over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane said that all three wheels were about to touch the ground during landing when he realized that the "field was softer than expected." He pulled the stick back to the stop and "was not able to apply throttle quick enough to keep tail pressure down." The airplane then nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel airplane said that all three wheels were about to touch the ground during landing when he realized that the "field was softer than expected." He pulled the stick back to the stop and "was not able to apply throttle quick enough to keep tail pressure down." The airplane then nosed over. The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight.