Primary finding
Probable cause
The passenger’s inadvertent application of the brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was planning to perform an off-airport landing on the shore of a reservoir where he had successfully landed many times before. After about a 30-minute flight, the pilot configured the airplane for landing on the shoreline. During touchdown, the passenger, who was in the rear seat, inadvertently applied the brakes. Because the brakes were applied on touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing strut. 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 stated that he was planning to perform an off-airport landing on the shore of a reservoir where he had successfully landed many times before. After an approximate 30-minute flight, the pilot configured the airplane for landing on the shoreline. During touchdown, the passenger, who was positioned in the rear-seat, inadvertently applied the brakes. Because of the brakes being depressed on touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed-over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.