On August 12, 1994, a Cessna 120 (registration N1987V) operated by Magnus Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Manitowoc, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with recent experience in tricycle gear but limited time in the tailwheel make and model applied excessive brakes during landing, causing the aircraft to nose over.
What happened
The pilot reported conducting a normal three-point landing in a tailwheel airplane. During the subsequent landing roll, he applied hard brakes, which caused the aircraft to nosed over.
The investigation
Review of the pilot's background revealed that he had accumulated 62 hours of total flight time, including 18 hours specifically in the accident make and model. His written statement indicated he had flown one hour in this specific aircraft type within the 90 days preceding the accident. Notably, he had passed his private pilot checkride six weeks before the accident in a tricycle landing gear airplane.
Findings
The primary factor was the application of excessive braking force during the ground roll. The transition from tricycle gear to tailwheel aircraft requires different handling techniques, particularly regarding brake pressure to prevent nose-over incidents.
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.