On August 14, 1994, a Luscombe 8E (registration N2501K) operated by Keith D. Fordahl was involved in an aviation accident near Hettinger, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive application of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the nose-over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot experienced a nose-over incident following a normal touchdown and landing roll, likely due to excessive brake application or mechanical issues.
What happened
The private pilot reported that the aircraft touched down normally and proceeded with a standard landing roll. Approximately two-thirds of the way down the runway, the pilot initiated braking. Shortly after applying the brakes, the nose of the airplane pitched forward, resulting in a nose-over incident.
During a subsequent interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot indicated that he likely applied the brakes too forcefully or that the brakes may have hung up. An operational check of the wheel braking system was conducted and revealed no anomalies.
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive application of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the nose-over.