Probable cause
The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing his tundra tire, tailwheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport site. On landing roll out the airplane bounced slightly, the pilot stated that he inadvertently applied excessive brake pressure and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer and left lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had executed a go-around, used less aggressive braking, ensured the control yoke was full aft and used a short burst of power to keep the tail down, or landed at a different location.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC15CA001 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 9, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gustavus, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180J
- N-number
- N180KN
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1973
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.