Probable cause
The pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing and the subsequent loss of directional control and nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the wheel- and ski-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on the dry, paved runway, the airplane began to veer right, and he attempted to correct with left rudder and brake. Subsequently, the tail lifted, the tips of the skis dug into the grooved pavement, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and right-wing lift strut. The pilot added that he should have been "more aggressive" with the rudder and applied brakes sooner. He added that he had a long runway to use but got "fooled into complacency." The pilot reported that he felt his use of a flight helmet during the accident sequence was essential to the prevention of injury.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC20CA042 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 10, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Homer, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Homer (HOM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA18
- N-number
- N184WF
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1959
- 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.