Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during an attempted landing on runway 18 at a private grass airstrip, the airplane did not decelerate as expected. The pilot stated that the aircraft "was not settling in as quickly as normal" and consequently missed the intended touchdown point. Believing sufficient runway remained, the pilot continued the approach.
Touchdown and Nose-Over
The airplane touched down approximately halfway along the 1,650-foot-long, 75-foot-wide runway. To avoid overrunning the remaining surface, the pilot applied the brakes. This action caused the airplane to nose over.
Aircraft Damage
Post-incident examination revealed damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder, which were bent. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane's systems or performance prior to the event.
Pilot Statement
The pilot provided no additional details regarding the cause of the hard landing or nose-over, noting only the aircraft's unexpected settling behavior during the approach.