Incident Summary
During a personal flight in the local area, the pilot returned approximately one hour later to find winds of 10-13 knots with a crosswind for runway 28. The landing was initially normal, but as the airplane slowed, it weathervaned and moved toward the runway edge. A landing gear tire caught snow at the runway's edge, and the airplane nosed over.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that the right brake was too mushy to hold the airplane against the strong crosswind. He noted that the brakes needed better maintenance and that he did not realize they were too soft until it was too late. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported performing a wheel landing when the airplane weathervaned left. He applied right rudder and brake to correct, but the right pedal felt soft and spongy. After departing the runway, the airplane nosed over, resulting in structural damage to the right wing inboard rear spar. The pilot also told the FAA inspector that he knew the right brake was soft before takeoff but decided it was not an issue after performing left and right clearing circles on the ground without difficulty.
Witness Observations
Airport personnel reported that the pilot described a crosswind from the south. As the airplane landed, it began to weathervane, and the pilot activated the right pedal. Personnel noted winds from 180 degrees at 13 knots and observed a skid mark from the right main landing gear tire starting near the runway centerline. The left main tire then traveled through snow off the runway edge for about 50 feet before the airplane pivoted and came to rest on its nose.
FAA Inspection
The FAA inspector examined the brake system and found the right brake to be spongy, with the pedal bottoming out with very little force applied.