Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and his subsequent excessive brake application during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down "a little" crooked, veered to the right, and he attempted to correct with rudder but the airplane ran off the right side of the runway into a field that "wasn't terribly rough." He added that he attempted to takeoff from the field, but "realized it wasn't going to happen before the approaching trees." Subsequently, he aborted the takeoff, applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane touched down "a little" crooked, veered to the right, and he attempted to correct with rudder, but the airplane ran off the right side of the runway into a field that "wasn't terribly rough". He added that he attempted to takeoff from the field, but "realized it wasn't going to happen before the approaching trees". Subsequently, he aborted the takeoff, applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.