American Legend AL3 N741R accident near Rexburg, Idaho

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and subsequent excessive braking during the landing roll with a tailwind, which resulted in a noseover.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot reported that, during her 1-hour solo flight, the wind switched from a headwind to a tailwind. During the three-point landing with a tailwind, she started to slow the airplane but was caught off guard when the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway. She then slammed on both brakes, and the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the rudder. The pilot added that, if she had tapped the right brake, she could have corrected the direction of the airplane. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA355 for the full record.