What happened
The incident involved a solo airline transport pilot operating a tailwheel-equipped aircraft fitted with tundra tires. The flight phase concluded with a landing attempt on a mountain ridgeline characterized by rough and uneven terrain. Upon touchdown, the aircraft contacted the ground without immediate difficulty. However, during the subsequent landing roll, the pilot inadvertently applied excessive braking force. This action caused the airplane to nosed over. The accident resulted in structural damage to the rudder and wing lift struts.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed the nature of the structural failures. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, indicating the failure was not due to a pre-existing defect. The pilot remained in control until the nosing-over event occurred.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the application of excessive braking during the landing roll on difficult terrain. The tailwheel aircraft configuration combined with the rough surface conditions likely exacerbated the effect of the braking input. No mechanical failures were identified prior to the event.