SEA02LA021

The pilot reported in a written statement that during the landing roll and as the aircraft was slowing, he applied the brakes to make a turn onto the taxiway. The pilot stated that when he applied the brakes, they "grabbed" and the aircraft nosed over. After the accident, the pilot reported to a state trooper that he applied the brakes a little hard to make a turn off and flipped over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. The pilot also reported that this was the first flight in a tail wheel equipped aircraft in the previous five months.

On December 29, 2001, at 1450 Pacific standard time, an experimental Kitfox IV, N38DK, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at Ashland Municipal airport, Ashland, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Ruch, Oregon, about 50 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that this was the first tail wheel equipped aircraft he had landed on an asphalt surface in the previous five months. The pilot reported that the landing and roll out were normal until the aircraft had slowed to about 15 mph and approaching the turnoff taxiway. The pilot stated that when he applied the brakes to accomplish the turn, the brakes grabbed and the aircraft nosed over.

A witness to the accident, an Oregon State Police trooper returning from a game flight and was in the pattern at the time, reported that "The aircraft looked to be (hot) fast as he landed approximately 200 to 300 feet down the runway." The trooper further stated that approximately half way down the runway, the aircraft nosed over coming to rest on its back. After the accident, the pilot stated to the trooper that he "applied the brakes a little hard to make a turn off and flipped over."

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident. The pilot also reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2 under Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), "more recent and thorough review of tail wheel ops and limitations."

The Ashland runway is 3,603 feet long and 75 feet wide. The surface is asphalt and was dry at the time.

The pilot reported that the weather at the time was clear with a variable wind at three knots. The temperature was approximately 50 degrees F.