Accident Narrative
The airplane nosed over during the landing roll. The 83-year-old pilot landed on a 1,944-foot-long grass airstrip. The airplane continued off the end of the airstrip, crossed over a paved intersecting runway, and traveled an additional 60 feet before striking an embankment. After traveling another 30 feet, the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall.
The pilot stated that a gust of wind caused him to lose directional control of the airplane before it nosed over. The wind reported at the Benton Harbor Airport, located 13 miles from the accident airport, was variable at 6 knots.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot purchased the airplane in 1983. The aircraft registration lapsed in 2011. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he could not find his aircraft or pilot logbooks and that he did not know when he last had a flight review. The pilot's last FAA airmen medical certificate was dated December 15, 1983.