Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's inadvertent application of the brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his student were practicing landings in a tailwheel-configured airplane in preparation for the student's first solo. On the fourth landing the student inadvertently applied brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and tail. The CFI stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his student were doing landing practice in an tail wheel configured airplane in preparation for the student's first solo. On the fourth landing the student inadvertently applied brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and tail. The CFI stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.