Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper touchdown point and excessive braking, which resulted in a nose over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, as he was landing, "the airplane would not touchdown as quickly as normal" and he missed his intended landing point. The pilot determined that there was still sufficient runway to continue the landing. The airplane touched down approximately halfway down the runway. The pilot applied the brakes in order to not overrun the runway and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to the pilot, while attempting to land on runway 18 (1,650 feet long by 75 feet wide) at a private grass airstrip, the airplane "was not settling in as quickly as normal" and the pilot missed his intended touchdown point. The pilot determined there was still sufficient runway to continue the landing. The airplane touched down approximately halfway down the runway. The pilot applied the brakes in order to not overrun the runway, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane.