On 22 Jan 2020, a PIPER PA-18 REPLICA No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Jean, NV. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's accidental application of the brakes during the landing roll, leading to a nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot experienced a nose-over accident while landing on a dry lakebed in Nevada.
What happened
On January 22, 2020, a Piper PA-18 Replica was performing a landing roll on a dry lakebed in Jean, Nevada. The pilot reported that the landing roll was initially uneventful; however, the pilot inadvertently applied the brakes, causing the aircraft to nose over. The accident resulted in one minor injury and no fatalities.
The investigation
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions present in the aircraft that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft, registration N944KM, sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the right wing.
Probable cause
The pilot's accidental application of the brakes during the landing roll, leading to a nose-over.