Cessna 140 N76831 accident near Winnsboro, South Carolina

Probable cause

The excessive brake inputs by both pilots during the landing roll resulting in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot of the tail-wheel equipped airplane, his pilot-rated passenger performed a normal wheel landing. During the landing roll, the airplane drifted to the right and in response he attempted to correct with left rudder input. The airplane continued to veer and he applied left brake. The application of the left brake made both pilots brace themselves, and they inadvertently depressed both sets of brake pedals at the same time. The brakes locked and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA097 for the full record.