CHI98LA325

Factual narrative

On August 11, 1998, at 1330 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N76884, operated by a commercial pilot nosed over while landing at the Benton Airport, Benton, Kansas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Jabara Airport, Wichita, Kansas, at 1200 cdt. The pilot reported he wanted to make a soft field landing so he lined the airplane up on the grass next to the runway. He reported that after touching down and rolling several feet, the airplane contacted a bump in the terrain at which time he "...felt the airplane come up." The pilot reported he applied aft elevator control and maintained rudder control. He continued to report, "However I believe I may have placed my feet too high on the rudder and caught the toe brake." He reported that as the airplane stopped, the tail lifted and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that during a soft field landing the airplane contacted a bump in the terrain at which time he felt the airplane rise up. He stated he applied aft elevator control and used the rudder to maintain directional control. He continued to report he inadvertently applied the brakes while attempting to maintain rudder control. When the airplane came to a stop, the tail lifted and the airplane nosed over. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12