Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA535

Talkeetna, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N7690H

Piper PA 12

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing uphill at an off-airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, and that the airplane then hit a "bush or a bump," which caused the tail to rise. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing uphill, at an off airport unimproved landing site where he had landed before, he applied the brakes, the airplane hit a "bush or a bump" which caused the tail to raise, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage and wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control on uneven terrain during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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