Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an off airport precautionary landing on soft soil, which resulted in a nose over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he observed an increase of cylinder head temperature along with “abnormal engine operation” and decided to make a precautionary landing, off airport. During the landing roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, the right main tire “sunk” in the soil and the tail of the airplane began to rise. Despite the pilot’s control inputs, the tail continued to rise, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.