SEA03LA044

In a written statement, the private pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three point landing), on the private gravel runway, the airplane encountered a "soft spot" on the runway surface and veered to the right. After veering to the right, the airplane departed the runway edge, encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

On March 2, 2003, about 1100 Pacific standard time, an unregistered Cessna 180 A (formerly VH-ARW), sustained substantial damage subsequent to a nose over while landing at a private airstrip near Malin, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Tulelake, California approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement dated March 15, the pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three point landing), on the private gravel runway, the airplane encountered a "soft spot" on the runway surface and veered to the right. After veering to the right, the airplane departed the runway edge, encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

The airplane had recently been deregistered in Australia. The pilot stated that he was in the process of obtaining a United States registration.