Cessna 195 N1516D accident near Lancaster, New York

Probable cause

The pilot's excessive application of brake pressure, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he had just completed a circuit in the airport traffic pattern. During the flare, the airplane began to "settle" when the wind speed decreased. He then applied engine power in order to arrest the descent. The airplane veered left and landed with the nose of the airplane pointing to the left side of the runway. During the landing roll, the pilot was concerned with exiting the paved portion of the runway and applied brake pressure. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the paved portion of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15CA329 for the full record.