Accident Details
The pilot of a tailwheel airplane equipped with tundra tires reported that during a landing on a soft grass airstrip, he conducted a wheel landing rather than a three-point landing. During the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the ground, resulting in a nose-over. The accident caused substantial damage to both wing struts and the empennage.
The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Relevant Guidance
According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A), the recommended technique for a soft-field landing in a tailwheel airplane is as follows: "The tailwheel should touch down simultaneously with or just before the main wheels, and should then be held down by maintaining firm back-elevator pressure throughout the landing roll. This will minimize any tendency for the airplane to nose over and will provide aerodynamic braking. The use of brakes on a soft field is not needed because the soft or rough surface itself will provide sufficient reduction in the airplane's forward speed. Often it will be found that upon landing on a very soft field, the pilot will need to increase power to keep the airplane moving and from becoming stuck in the soft surface."