Event WPR12CA363

Factual narrative

The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice landing his tail-wheel equipped airplane on a grass airstrip. After departure, he remained in the airstrip’s traffic pattern and configured the airplane for a wheel landing. During the landing roll, with the airplane’s main landing on the grass and the tailwheel still airborne, the pilot applied brake pressure. The airplane nosed over, sustaining damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a grass airstrip. After departure, he remained in the airstrip’s traffic pattern and configured the airplane for a wheel landing. During the landing roll, with the airplane’s main landing gear on the grass and the tailwheel still airborne, the pilot applied brake pressure. The airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

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