Probable cause
The passenger’s inadvertent application of the brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was planning to perform an off-airport landing on the shore of a reservoir where he had successfully landed many times before. After about a 30-minute flight, the pilot configured the airplane for landing on the shoreline. During touchdown, the passenger, who was in the rear seat, inadvertently applied the brakes. Because the brakes were applied on touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing strut. 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 WPR20CA036 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 3, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Nephi, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Nephi Muni (U14)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
PA-18 Replica
- N-number
- N864SC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2017
- 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.