Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadvertent application of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a noseover.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was receiving instruction for his tailwheel endorsement. The pilot stated that during the third touch-and-go landing attempt, shortly after touchdown, he drifted from the runway centerline and inadvertently applied the brakes instead of the rudder to realign the airplane with the runway centerline. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the empennage, right wing, and fuselage. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.