The pilot had just purchased the Piper PA18A-150 and was receiving flight instruction to satisfy insurance requirements.
They decided to fly to the instructor’s home in Brainerd, Minnesota, and land in a field behind his house.
They made a low pass and noted that there was a slight ditch with some water in it about halfway down the field. They landed beyond the ditch and the pilot noticed some trees at the end of the field that were getting closer.
The pilot believed the tail was still flying when he applied slight braking to slow down.
The airplane hit a bump, or bounced, and nosed over, causing substantial damage to both wings, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, the engine, and the propeller.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to land on a shortened field and his incorrect brake application. Contributing was the flight instructor’s lack of oversight.
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This July 2020 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.
