Probable cause
The passenger’s inadvertent brake application during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, upon touchdown, the passenger seated in the front seat of the tandem-cockpit airplane "mistakenly applied full braking," and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA292 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 18, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Bradford, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Bradford Rgnl (BFD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stearman B75N1
- N-number
- N75577
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1943
- 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.