SEA97LA053

While landing in a right crosswind, the right wing of the aircraft came up during the landing flare/touchdown. The pilot was unable to get the wing to come back down, and he therefore applied the brakes in an effort to maintain directional control. Because his braking became excessive, the tailwheel-equipped aircraft nosed over on the runway. The pilot reported that he did not use full aileron deflection in his attempt to get the wing to come down because he was afraid he might overcontrol.

On January 26, 1997, approximately 1200 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170B, N4590C, nosed over during the landing roll at Toledo-Winlock Airport, Toledo, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which had a final destination of Pierce County Airport, Puyallup, Washington, was at the time of the accident being conducted in the traffic pattern at Toledo. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, while landing in a right crosswind, the right wing of the aircraft raised and he could not get it to come back down. The aircraft touched down on the left main gear and the tailwheel, and because the right wing was still in the air, the pilot applied the brakes in an attempt to maintain directional control. While attempting to stop the tailwheel-equipped aircraft, it nosed over on the runway. In a post-accident interview with an FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he had not used full aileron when trying to lower the wing because he was afraid he might overcontrol. He also stated that he made a habit of landing with his feet positioned on the brakes because he had gone off the runway in a previous landing when he touched down without having his feet on the brakes.

When the FAA notified the Safety Board of the nose-over on January 26, the damage to the aircraft was reported as minor. The Board was advised on January 31, that an FAA inspector had determined that the damage to the aircraft was substantial. At that time, the event was classified as an accident.