Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s excessive brake application during landing rollout led to the airplane nosing over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that preceding the accident he had performed four uneventful touch and go landings for practice. During the fifth and final landing to a full stop, the airplane veered left of runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct by applying rudder and brakes and reported that he “went too far” with braking application. The airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies with the flight controls or brakes. The Fairchild 24 is a vintage aircraft. The previous owner was given field approval for installation of a Cleveland wheel and brake kit #199-64, commonly used for higher weight Cessna 310 airplanes. The Cleveland brakes provided more braking power than the originally installed brakes, which likely contributed to the pilot’s excessive braking.