Crash location | 36.934722°N, 121.787222°W |
Nearest city | Watsonville, CA
36.910231°N, 121.756895°W 2.4 miles away |
Tail number | N77227 |
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Accident date | 02 Nov 2012 |
Aircraft type | Cessna 140 |
Additional details: | None |
The pilot reported that after a normal approach he landed the tail-wheel equipped airplane on the main wheels (wheel landing). As the airplane decelerated during the landing roll, the pilot directed his attention inside of the cockpit and eased back pressure off of the control yoke. When the pilot redirected his attention outside, the airplane nosed down and the propeller struck the ground; the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the wings and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll.