The pilot landed the experimental nosewheel-equipped Glastar 500 feet beyond the landing threshold of the grass runway at Sequim, Wash., performing a full-flap, power-off approach. The runway was crossed by two asphalt taxiways, and during the ground roll, he observed a depression in the turf just before the first taxiway intersection.
He applied back pressure to the elevator control, however, the nosewheel dug into the depression, and the plane nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged but there were no injuries.
The runway is normally 3,500 foot long, but at the time of the accident, the second half was closed. This was reflected in a NOTAM, but the pilot was unaware of the closure.
According to the airport manager, the depression was a drainage ditch, and was located to the left of runway, adjacent to the parallel asphalt runway.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s improper soft field landing technique, and failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing.
NTSB Identification: WPR13CA394
This August 2013 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.
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‘Fess up…how many times do we one-proppers actually read NOTAMS? In the USAF they were part of our every pre-flight briefing. But at the smaller fields many of use, are they even posted? However, dragging the field first is an instructed part of every turf landing.