Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a soft turf runway, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was landing on a soft turf runway following an uneventful local flight. During the landing roll, he applied "a little too much braking," and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and fuselage were buckled. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA228 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 29, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Madisonville, Tennessee
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built T 18
- N-number
- N70BZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.