Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive brake application while landing on rough terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot, who was on a local personal flight, decided to make an off-airport landing in an open field. Although the touchdown in the tailwheel-equipped airplane was uneventful, the pilot applied hard braking in order to minimize the landing roll on the rough terrain. As the airplane began to slow it nosed over onto its back. Both the wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane's systems.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot, who was on a local area personal flight, decided to make an off-airport landing in an open field. Although the touchdown in the tailwheel-equipped airplane was uneventful, the pilot applied hard braking in order to minimize the landing roll on the rough terrain. As the airplane began to slow, it nosed over onto its back. Both the wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane's systems. In the recommendations section of the NTSB Form 6120.1, he stated that landings requiring higher demands than the pilot's current skill level should not be attempted.