Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and his deliberate application of excessive braking pressure, which resulted in a noseover.
NTSB analysis
The pilot, who was flying a tailwheel-equipped agricultural aerial application airplane, was landing on a dirt airstrip in order to take on a load of application chemical. After he landed on the main gear and lowered the tailwheel to the surface, the airplane started to veer toward the side of the runway. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from departing the side of the runway, and, because it was heading toward a big gully, he applied as much braking force as possible. As he applied the braking force, the airplane nosed over onto its back, which resulted in substantial damage to the upper wing and the vertical stabilizer. According to the pilot, there was no malfunction or anomaly associated with the airplane's directional control system or its braking system.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA242 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Riverton, Wyoming
- Nearest airport
- Hidden Valley Airport (N/A)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Grumman G-164A
- N-number
- N5291
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
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.