Aircraft: Cessna 120. Injuries: None. Location: Pendleton, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was on a local flight and decided to make an off-airport landing in an open field.
The touchdown in the tailwheel-equipped airplane was uneventful until the pilot applied hard braking to minimize the landing roll on the rough terrain. As the airplane began to slow it nosed over onto its back.
Both the wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane’s systems.
Probable cause: The pilot’s excessive brake application while landing on rough terrain.
NTSB Identification: WPR11CA447
This July 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.