No fatalities

24 May 2010: PIPER PA-12 — MICHELLE H. ELLER — Tanana, AK

Tanana, AK, United States

On 24 May 2010, a PIPER PA-12 operated by MICHELLE H. ELLER was involved in an aviation accident near Tanana, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll resulting in a nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot practicing stop-and-go landings on a gravel runway in a tailwheel airplane inadvertently applied brakes too hard after touchdown, causing the airplane to nose over. No mechanical issues were reported.

Accident Overview

A private pilot reported that while practicing stop-and-go landings on a gravel-covered runway in her tailwheel-equipped airplane, she inadvertently applied the brakes too hard after touchdown, causing the airplane to nose over. The flight was operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Sequence of Events

The pilot was performing stop-and-go landings, which involve landing and then immediately adding power for another takeoff. On the landing in question, after touching down on the gravel runway, the pilot applied the brakes with excessive force. This inadvertent hard braking resulted in the aircraft nosing over. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures prior to the accident.

Pilot Statement

According to the pilot's account, the accident was due to her inadvertent application of too much brake pressure after touchdown. She noted that the airplane had been operating normally before the event and that there were no preexisting mechanical problems. The airplane was a tailwheel design, and the runway was gravel-covered.

Additional Information

The source of this information is the official accident investigation report. It does not provide the aircraft type, registration number, operator, exact date, location, or details of injuries or damage. The probable cause was not listed in the source. The flight was conducted under Part 91 for personal reasons.

Contributing factors

Unneccessary use/operationPilot