Probable cause
The uncommanded inflight application of parking brake due to a loose valve, which resulted in a noseover during landing.
NTSB analysis
While inbound for landing the pilot stepped on the brake pedals and the "brakes felt really tight," so he quit applying pressure. During the landing roll, immediately after touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane slowed quickly, nosed over, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the parking brake revealed a loose valve, which allowed uncommanded movement of the valve into the locked position.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA551 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Clemville, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Hlavinka Ag Strip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164B
- N-number
- N8251K
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
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.