Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control on uneven terrain during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing uphill at an off-airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, and that the airplane then hit a "bush or a bump," which caused the tail to rise. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and wing spars. The 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 pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing uphill, at an off airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, the airplane hit a "bush or a bump" which caused the tail to raise, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage and wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.