GREENFIELD, CA, USA
N81999
Ayres PITTS MA-1
THE PILOT WAS LANDING A TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE ON A PRIVATE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER TO MAINTAIN THE RUNWAY HEADING. THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID SOFT TERRAIN, THE PILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
On July, 5, 1993, about 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, an Ayers, Pitts MA-1, N81999, crashed during landing at Metz Field, a private airstrip near Greenfield, California. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Metz Field about 1030 hours. The pilot reported that he landed on the gravel runway to the north, and applied left rudder to maintain the runway heading during the landing roll. When the pilot applied left rudder, the airplane veered to the left and off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied aft elevator pressure and hard braking to avoid soft terrain. The airplane then nosed over. The pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent second class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on February 8, 1993, and contained no limitations. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 909 hours, of which 97 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model. In the preceding 90 and 30 days prior to the accident, the report lists a total of 52 and 23 hours, respectively, flown.
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll and subsequent application of excessive braking that resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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