Bellanca 7GCBC N68564 accident near Sidney, Nebraska

Probable cause

The pilot's misuse of the brakes during landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot made a normal landing in light and variable wind. As the airplane slowed, it started turning to the right, and the pilot applied left rudder and brake to correct for the right turn. The airplane’s tail came up, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that when he rotated the airplane’s tires after the accident, the left tire turned freely but the right tire would only turn with pressure. However, when the airport manager (who was also a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic) and local law enforcement officials examined the brake system after the accident, the wheels both spun normally. Additionally, after the airplane was placed back on its landing gear and towed to a hanger, the airplane’s wheels rolled normally. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the wheels or brake system.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA556 for the full record.