NTSB Factual Report

On March 6, 2005, at 1720 central standard time, an experimental Ecker Starduster 1, N74EK, register to and operated by a private pilot, nosed over during landing roll at General Dewitt Spain Airport, Millington, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was uninjured. The flight departed from West Memphis Municipal Airport, Arkansas on March 6, 2005 at 1700.

According to the pilot, during landing rollout on the grassy area on the left side adjacent to runway 17, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot said full right rudder was applied to stop the left turn, but as the airplane decelerated the right rudder input was ineffective. The pilot decided to applied right brake to stop the left turn, however when right brake was applied the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Examination of the airplane revealed the upper left wingtip, and vertical stabilizer was buckled. Examination of the left wheel pant revealed clumps of wet grass were present between the pant and wheel. During further examination of the left wheel it was revealed that the left brake caliper was hanging on the rotor and restricting movement. The history of the brake system and maintenance records were not available for review. A review of the General Dewitt Spain Airport map revealed that there is no published grass landing strip for the airport.

During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated the grass-landing surface he landed on was adjacent to the runway, and although it was being used as a landing strip it was not a designated landing area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The malfunction of the left main landing gear wheel brake during landing roll on a grassy area, resulting in a nose over.