What happened
On June 23, 2011, a PIPER PA-18-150, registration N6248R, was involved in an accident in Nikiski, Alaska. While performing a landing on a beach, the pilot applied the brakes with excessive force during the landing roll. This action caused the aircraft to nose over.
There were no fatalities and no serious injuries resulting from the event, though one person sustained minor injuries. The weather conditions at the time were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 3 statute miles.
The investigation
The investigation determined that the aircraft's rudder and the right lift strut sustained substantial damage during the nose-over event. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or issues with the aircraft prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation.