Incident Summary
A pilot experienced a nose-over during landing on a 2,600-foot gravel runway situated in hilly terrain with variable winds. The pilot had temporarily swapped aircraft for the trip and had not flown the specific type in the preceding 90 days; he normally operated a Cessna 185. He was familiar with the airport and had already executed one go-around due to being high and fast on the initial approach.
Approach and Landing
On the second approach, the pilot reported flying at 60 mph and crossing the runway threshold at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL). The touchdown occurred near midfield. As he attempted to apply brakes, the pilot stated that the tail kept rising. He attributed this to a possible gust of tailwind acting on the flaps and up-elevator, which he believed pushed the tail upward.
Pilot Comments
The pilot acknowledged that he should have been more concerned about the possibility of varying winds given the conditions. No further details on the aircraft's make, model, or registration were provided in the source.