Amateur-built MURPHY N235DS accident near South Lake Tahoe, California

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly tighten his seat belt, which allowed him to slide forward in his seat and resulted in his inadvertent application of excessive brake application during the landing roll and a subsequent noseover.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane's ground speed was about 30 knots when he applied the brakes lightly, and the tailwheel lifted off the ground. His seatbelt, which was not tightened, allowed him to slide forward in his seat, and he inadvertently applied more brake pressure, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA324 for the full record.