What happened
The pilot was conducting practice landings at an airport. During the sequence, she executed four separate landing attempts. On the fourth occasion, she attempted a wheel landing rather than a three-point landing. As the aircraft decelerated during the landing roll, maintaining directional control became increasingly difficult. The effectiveness of the rudder diminished as airspeed decreased. To compensate for the loss of rudder authority, the pilot applied the brakes to steer the airplane. This steering method, combined with the presence of a tailwind, caused the aircraft to nose over into an inverted position.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the landing roll and the pilot's control inputs. It was determined that the combination of brake steering and tailwind conditions led to the loss of directional stability. No mechanical failures were reported prior to the event.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to use brakes for steering at low speeds in a tailwind condition. The reduced efficiency of the rudder at slow speeds necessitated alternative steering methods, which proved ineffective under these specific wind conditions.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that brake steering can be less effective than rudder steering at higher speeds and may lead to loss of directional control in tailwind conditions. Proper technique for crosswind and tailwind landings is essential.