Accident Overview
During a 14 CFR Part 91 public use flight in support of federal law enforcement activities, a commercial pilot was landing a tundra tire-equipped tailwheel airplane on an off-airport landing site. The pilot reported that the landing took place on an unimproved strip of tundra. As the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, the right main wheel contacted an unseen ledge, followed by a hole, causing the airplane to nose down.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. The pilot noted that the terrain feature that initiated the event was not visually apparent during the approach.
Aircraft Damage
The operator reported that the accident resulted in a broken engine mount and structural damage to the forward fuselage and firewall. The extent of the damage indicates a significant deceleration event when the airplane nosed over.
Operational Context
The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a public use operation. The pilot was performing a landing at an unimproved site to support law enforcement activities. The airplane was equipped with tundra tires and a tailwheel configuration, typical for operations on soft or uneven terrain.