Probable cause
One of the pilot’s inadvertent application of the airplane's brakes, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
According to the flight instructor, he took control of the airplane from the private pilot receiving instruction to demonstrate a landing. During the landing rollout and after the tailwheel was down, he noticed the tail begin to rise. As the tail continued to rise, he asked the pilot receiving instruction "what are you doing?" The pilot receiving instruction responded "I don't know, what are you doing?" The airplane subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the right lift strut and rudder. Both pilots denied applying pressure to the heel brake pedals. ; however, one of them had to have inadvertently applied the heel brakes fore the tailwheel to rise.
An inspection of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC19LA053 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 5, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chugiak, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Birchwood (BCV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA18
- N-number
- N5057Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1962
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.