What happened
The pilot was conducting flight training maneuvers on an unpaved grass runway. Specifically, the individual was practicing touch-and-go operations, which involve landing and immediately taking off again without coming to a complete stop. During one of these maneuvers, the aircraft encountered a soft spot on the surface of the strip. The pilot reported being unable to maintain directional control or prevent the nose gear from contacting the ground due to this uneven terrain. As a result, the aircraft nosed over.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed that the incident occurred during a training exercise rather than commercial service. The pilot was not engaged in any aerial application work at the time of the event. The primary mechanical failure was attributed to ground contact caused by the soft spot encountered during the landing phase.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's inability to avoid a soft spot on the grass strip while performing touch-and-go landings. This loss of control resulted in the aircraft nosing over. The pilot was newly certificated and practicing for potential employment with an aerial application operation, but no such operation was being conducted at the time.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when operating on unpaved surfaces, particularly during low-speed maneuvers like touch-and-go landings. Uneven terrain, soft spots, or depressions in grass strips can compromise ground control and lead to structural damage or loss of control. Regular inspection of runway conditions and awareness of surface variability are critical for safe operations.