Casualties unknown

Aircraft Noses Over During Wheel Landing on Private Airstrip (N8884D)

Beowawe, NV, US

On April 2, 1994, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N8884D) operated by Jim H. Filippini was involved in an aviation accident near Beowawe, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot reported that inadvertent brake application during a wheel landing caused the aircraft to nose over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that during a wheel landing on his private dirt strip, the aircraft bounced. Applying forward control pressure, he inadvertently activated the brakes, causing the aircraft to nose over.

Incident Summary

The pilot of an aircraft reported that an accident occurred during a landing attempt on his private dirt airstrip. Earlier in the same flight, he had made several approaches to the strip. On the final approach, he was attempting a wheel landing. According to the pilot, the aircraft bounced slightly upon touchdown. His corrective action was to apply forward control pressure. The pilot further stated that he believes he inadvertently activated the brakes while applying that pressure, which caused the aircraft to suddenly nose over.

Pilot Account

In his report, the pilot detailed the sequence of events. He said that after completing several approaches, the accident occurred on the last approach. The landing was intended as a wheel landing. When the aircraft bounced, he responded with forward control pressure. He expressed a belief that during that action, he unintentionally pressed the brakes. This, he stated, resulted in the aircraft nosing over.

Additional Details

The incident took place on a private dirt strip. No other information about the aircraft or the pilot was provided in the report.

Probable cause

The pilot reported that inadvertent brake application during a wheel landing caused the aircraft to nose over.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01129. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.