Accident Overview
During a short field landing practice in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot applied too much brake pressure while the tailwheel was still off the ground following touchdown. This caused the airplane to nose over and come to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the aircraft through the main cabin door.
Damage Details
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall, aft fuselage structure, left and right wing struts, and rudder. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation were reported.
Pilot Report
The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented had he not applied the brakes until the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway.