ERA15CA329

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he had just completed a circuit in the airport traffic pattern. During the flare, the airplane began to "settle" when the wind speed decreased. He then applied engine power in order to arrest the descent. The airplane veered left and landed with the nose of the airplane pointing to the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the pilot was concerned with exiting the paved portion of the runway and applied brake pressure. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the paved portion of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, he had just completed a circuit in the airport traffic pattern. During the flare, the airplane began to "settle" when the wind speed decreased. He then applied engine power in order to arrest the descent. The airplane veered left and landed with the nose of the airplane pointing to the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the pilot was concerned with exiting the paved portion of the runway and applied brake pressure. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the paved portion of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C