What happened
The pilot was operating a conventional gear airplane, having received an endorsement to fly such aircraft earlier in the week. He and his wife were returning to their home airport after refueling at a nearby location. Upon arrival, he executed a three-point landing on a dirt runway oriented to the south. During the rollout, the aircraft veered left off the paved surface and entered a plowed field, where it nosed over.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's recent endorsement for conventional gear aircraft and the circumstances of the landing. The pilot reported that he had received the necessary endorsement to fly conventional (tail wheel, fixed landing gear) airplanes earlier in the week. He and his wife were returning to their home airport after refueling the airplane at another nearby airport. He made a three-point landing to the south. As the airplane was rolling out on the dirt runway, it veered left onto a plowed field and nosed over.
Findings
The pilot's recent endorsement for conventional gear aircraft may have contributed to the incident. The pilot reported that he had received an endorsement to fly conventional (tail wheel, fixed landing gear) airplanes earlier in the week. He and his wife were returning to their home airport after refueling the airplane at another nearby airport. He made a three-point landing to the south. As the airplane was rolling out on the dirt runway, it veered left onto a plowed field and nosed over.
Safety message
Pilots operating conventional gear aircraft should ensure they are fully proficient and comfortable with the unique handling characteristics of such airplanes, especially during landing and rollout phases.