Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of the aircraft brakes. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision not to perform a go-around, which resulted in failure to attain the desired touchdown point on landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that she flew an incorrect approach but decided to continue the approach to landing rather than perform a go-around. She landed long, then became concerned about her ability to stop the airplane in the remaining runway. In her attempt to stop the airplane, she applied excessive braking, causing the tailwheel- equipped airplane to nose over onto its back.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 13, 1995, approximately 1300 PDT, a Boeing Model E75, N1067N, received substantial damage in a nose-over landing accident at the pilot's private airstrip 6 miles northwest of Newberg, OR. The private pilot, who also owned the airplane and was its sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. The flight, operating under 14 CFR 91, originated at Evergreen Airport, Vancouver, WA. Visual meterological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector assigned to the accident that she was conducting an approach and landing to the west at her airstrip, described as a 2100 foot by 75 foot east-west turf runway. According to the FAA accident investigation record (FAA Form 8020-16), she "landed long, and upon noting remaining [runway] length, applied braking to cause inversion of [the aircraft]." The FAA inspector further noted: "PIC readily proffers and is acutely aware of the cause of this accident, i.e. her quote of....'my failure to abandon the approach and go around.'" The pilot did not return NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, to the NTSB investigator. -