NTSB Factual Report

On July 5, 2004, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N8918Y, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed over during the landing roll at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 0930.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on July 5, the pilot reported that he had been practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 1R, which is gravel covered, and is 2,200 feet long by 50 feet wide. He said that after completing four successful touch-and-go landings, he elected to do a full stop landing. During the accident landing roll, the airplane veered slightly to the left, and the pilot applied the brakes in an attempt to realign the airplane with the runway. The pilot reported that he inadvertently applied too much brake pressure as the airplane neared the end of the landing roll, and the airplane nosed over. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's excessive use of the airplane's brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.