Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the soft runway condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was attempting to land on a sod runway when he made a hard landing and the airplane bounced. He then tried to recover the landing by making a three wheeled landing. The tail wheel hit first, followed by the main landing gear. The pilot applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over on the soft (sod) runway.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 13, 1996, at about 1800 eastern daylight time (edt), a Cessna 140, N89207, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during the landing roll at Shamrock Field, Brooklyn, Michigan. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Napoleon, Michigan, at 1700 edt. According to the pilot's written statement, he was attempting a main landing gear landing on runway 19 (2822' x 100'/sod), when he made a hard landing and bounced the airplane. The pilot then tried to recover the landing by touching down on all three wheels. The pilot said, "Tail of aircraft touched runway first. Applied brakes, main wheels dug in soft (sod) field. Aircraft nosed over, upside down... ." -