Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's overapplication of brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during landing on an uphill, 4,500-ft-long unimproved airstrip, the airplane bounced and floated. When the airplane touched down again, he applied brakes, and upon reaching the end of the airstrip, he aggressively applied brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. 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 during landing, on an uphill, 4,500 ft long unimproved airstrip, the airplane bounced and "floated." When the airplane touched down again, he applied brakes, and upon reaching the end of the airstrip, he aggressively applied brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was 180° at 5 knots. The airplane landed to the north.