M-7 PLT LOST ACFT CTL WHEN DOING A WHEEL LNDG. THE ACFT NOSE AND PROP CONTACTED THE RWY.

Narrative

ACFT IS A TAILDRAGGER. UNEXPECTED XWIND GUST ON WHEEL LNDG LIFTED L WING AND CAUSED PIVOT TO THE L ON R MAIN WHEEL. DESPITE BEST EFFORTS; L AILERON AND R RUDDER CORRECTIONS DID NOT RESTORE DIRECTIONAL CTL AND ACFT VEERED TO THE L. IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID LEAVING THE RWY AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING THE ACFT AND RWY EDGE LIGHTS; ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE GENTLY BUT OVER BRAKED AND CAUSED ACFT TO NOSE OVER. PROP STRUCK THE RWY. NO INJURIES OR EXTERNAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. ACFT WAS NOT DAMAGED SUBSTANTIALLY AND INCIDENT WAS; THEREFORE; NOT RPTED. LIKELY CAUSE WAS TOO MUCH BRAKING ACTION APPLIED WHILE ACFT TAILWHEEL WAS OFF THE GND AT A POINT WHERE WT OF THE TAIL PIVOTED THE TAIL UP ON THE MAIN GEAR. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CTL DUE TO LACK OF TAILWHEEL GND CONTACT AND INSUFFICIENT AIRSPD OVER RUDDER AND AILERON SURFACES TO ALLOW FULL CTL EFFECTIVENESS. TAIL OF THIS ACFT IS HVY (250 LBS) AND EXERTS A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE. TO PREVENT RECURRENCE IN GUSTY XWIND CONDITIONS; WILL MINIMIZE USE OF WHEEL LNDGS IN THIS TYPE ACFT; BUT IF NECESSARY; WILL NOT USE BRAKES UNTIL TAILWHEEL IS ON THE GND AND SPD IS DIMINISHED.