Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadvertent activation of the aircraft brakes during the landing rollout.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
On landing rollout the pilot inadvertently activated the aircraft brakes and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot stated that weather was not a factor, and that there were no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 2, 1997 at 1500 hours Pacific standard time, a Luscombe 194E, N2591K, veered off the runway during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over at the Auburn Airport, Grass Valley, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local flight and no flight plan was filed. In an interview with an Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot stated that he inadvertently activated the aircraft brakes during the landing roll and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft and weather was not a factor. -