Piper PA-18-150
West Fargo, ND — October 24, 2011
Event Information
| Date | October 24, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN12CA042 |
| Event ID | 20111026X91236 |
| Location | West Fargo, ND |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 46.94278, -96.92889 |
| Airport | Jacob Gust Airport |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA-18-150 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Probable Cause
The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll before the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was practicing a short field landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that after touchdown he applied too much brake pressure while the tailwheel was still off the ground and the airplane subsequently nosed-over. The airplane came to rest inverted and the pilot and passenger exited through the main cabin door. The airplane’s firewall, aft fuselage structure, left and right wing struts, and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. He further noted that the accident could have been prevented had he not applied the brakes until the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.