Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing on a grass field on a farm, when he applied the brakes the airplane immediately pitched forward and nosed over.
He further reported that "the combination of long grass and braking created a forward momentum that he could not recover from."
A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the empennage.
According to the pilot, there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA255 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 21, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Braham, Minnesota
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built REPLICA PA18
- N-number
- N419JC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2013
- 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.