On September 3, 2002, a Piper PA-12 (registration N3233M) operated by Grasshopper Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Chickaloon, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and proper pitch attitude during landing on a narrow gravel strip, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced a nose-over incident while landing a tailwheel-equipped aircraft on a narrow gravel strip to pick up a hunter.
What happened
The commercial certificated pilot was operating an airplane equipped with tundra tires on a remote, unpaved airstrip. The purpose of the flight was to pick up a hunter at the location. The airstrip consisted of a gravel surface and was oriented in a north-south direction. It was extremely narrow, measuring only about 10 feet wide, and had a length of approximately 900 feet.
The pilot reported that he intended to land the aircraft toward the north end of the strip. During the landing roll, the tail section of the airplane rose higher than expected. This excessive nose-up attitude caused the front of the aircraft to contact the ground, resulting in a nose-over incident.
The investigation
Post-incident inspection revealed significant damage to several components of the airframe. The propeller sustained damage from the impact. The cowling covering the engine was also damaged. Structural damage occurred to the right wing and its associated lift strut. Additionally, the top portion of the rudder was damaged during the accident sequence.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and proper pitch attitude during landing on a narrow gravel strip, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.