NTSB Factual Report

On June 12, 2003, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18A-150, N5779D, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight last departed from Red Lodge, Montana, about 45 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that she was practicing short field landings on the grass airstrip. The first wheel landing to a full stop was made within 300 feet. The pilot took off to make one more short field landing. During the landing roll, the pilot was again attempting to stop within 300 feet. The pilot stated that "I kept the tail too high in the wheel landin. (sic) I then reduced the power with the tail high and full brake at a low speed. The loss of air flow over the tail caused the slow forward roll over of the aircraft." The aircraft came to rest inverted.

The pilot stated that the right side wing lift strut was bent and there was some visible damage to the right wing. The top of the vertical stabilizer was crushed downward.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft control was not maintained during the landing roll. The aircraft subsequently nosed over.