Incident Overview
A commercial pilot who held helicopter-only ratings was receiving instruction in a tailwheel airplane. The pilot had accumulated a total of 8 hours of airplane flight time, all of which was in the accident aircraft. During the instructional flight, the pilot demonstrated difficulty with proper brake control, prompting the instructor to practice braking and turning maneuvers.
Sequence of Events
While taxiing forward at approximately 15 mph, the instructor requested the pilot to turn the airplane around. The pilot initiated an immediate right turn to reverse direction, which oriented the tail into the wind. As the turn progressed, the tail rose, and the airplane continued its rotation, ultimately flipping over onto its nose.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he intended to slow the airplane before initiating the turn but reported that his braking was "uneven," resulting in a "hard" right turn and the subsequent nose-over. Both pilots confirmed that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane.
Investigation Findings
No mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified. The incident occurred during a training exercise focused on braking and turning techniques. The pilot's limited experience in airplane operations, particularly in tailwheel aircraft, was noted.