NTSB Factual Report

On July 30, 2005, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-20-115, N7004K, nosed over during the landing roll at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned by the pilot's brother, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 91 personal proficiency flight, which began at the same location about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, who was practicing his landings, during the landing flare, he inadvertently let the left wing get too low, resulting in the aircraft touching down on its left main gear. Immediately after the left gear touched down on the runway surface, the aircraft started to veer to the right. The pilot was unable to get the aircraft realigned with the runway heading, and as the aircraft continued to veer further to the right, the left wing began to drag across the runway surface. As the aircraft reached the east (right) side of the runway, the pilot applied hard braking to both wheels, and the aircraft nosed over, ending up on its back about 10 feet off the side of the runway. According to the pilot, there were no problems with the aircrafts flight controls or tailwheel steering system. During a discussion with the Investigator-In-charge, the pilot stated that the aircraft simply got away from him, and that as it started to depart the side of the runway, he applied a little too much braking.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and his application of excessive braking as the aircraft started to depart the side of the runway.