NTSB Factual Report

On October 20, 2006 at 1230 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Codding/Fluno Sportsman GS-2 airplane, N429AD, nosed over during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Hopland, California. The builder/private pilot, who was the sole occupant, operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot was not injured during the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight that originated from the Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, California, at 1210. The flight was destined for the private airstrip near Hopland.

According to the written statement provided by the pilot, he overflew his private airstrip and noticed the windsock favoring the wind from the west. He flew the tail wheel equipped airplane in a right traffic pattern to land to the west, as the 1,400-foot-grass runway was oriented east-west. After landing the pilot realized he was running out of remaining runway and applied firm braking, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

The pilot secured the fuel and electric systems and exited the airplane. He then noticed the wind was blowing from the east. After examining the airstrip's windsock he noted that the sock tail was caught in a guide wire and was indicating opposite the actual wind direction. The pilot has since repaired his airstrip's windsock.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's excessive braking during landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A contributing factor was the erroneous windsock indication, which prompted the pilot to land with a tailwind, and inadvertently increase his landing roll.