NTSB WPR23LA250 — 2023-07-03 · McCall, Idaho, United States

Current FAA registration · N36KG

Make / Model: PIPER PA-18
Year of manufacture: 1955 · 68 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19680625
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A40ADB

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N36KG Piper PA-18 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s application of wheel brakes during landing roll out, resulting in a nose over.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during landing, he positioned his feet on the heel brake pedals and applied wheel brakes. When the airplane’s tail rose, the pilot’s heels remained on the brake pedals and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The wing struts and rudder were substantially damaged. 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

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA250.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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