Piper PA-18-150 N7949 accident near West Fargo, North Dakota

Probable cause

The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll before the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was practicing a short-field landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that after touchdown he applied too much brake pressure while the tailwheel was still off the ground and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the firewall, aft fuselage structure, left and right wing struts, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. He further noted that the accident could have been prevented had he not applied the brakes until the tailwheel had made sustained contact with the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA042 for the full record.