On August 30, 2003, a Luscombe 8A (registration N1954B) was involved in an aviation accident near Maquoketa, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's application of both brakes simultaneously during the landing rollout caused the aircraft to nose over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft experienced a nose-over accident on the runway centerline while the pilot attempted to correct a directional drift during the landing rollout.
What happened
During the landing phase on runway 33, the aircraft touched down smoothly on its main landing gear. The pilot reported maintaining forward control stick pressure to keep the main gear in contact with the runway surface. During the subsequent landing rollout, the aircraft began drifting to the left. In an attempt to correct this drift, the pilot applied the right brake. This action caused the aircraft to swerve to the right. The pilot then applied the left brake without releasing the right brake, which resulted in the airplane immediately nosed over on the runway centerline.
Findings
At the time of the accident, local winds were recorded at 040 degrees true with a speed of 8 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures present during the flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's application of both brakes simultaneously during the landing rollout caused the aircraft to nose over.