N31253

On December 6, 1998, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Univair 7GC-AA, N31253, was substantially damage while landing at a private airstrip near Garner, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the glider tow conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to tow a glider to 3,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL), release it, and return. Prior to the accident flight the pilot conducted two similar flights and noticed no mechanical problems with the airplane. On the accident flight, the pilot towed a glider to 3,000 feet MSL, released the glider, preformed a left spiral to lose altitude, and entered the traffic pattern via a left crosswind. The pilot then completed the downwind and base legs of the traffic pattern, before establishing the airplane on an offset final for runway 20. The pilot flew an offset final because of the tow rope and a small building on the approach end of runway.

The airplane touched down on the first 1/3 of the runway and started to rollout. While the airplane was rolling out, the pilot "tapped" the brakes and felt the airplane pull to the right. The pilot then "tapped" the left brake and the airplane straightened out, but when the left brake pressure was removed the airplane once again turned to the right. Because of a right crosswind, the pilot thought the right turn was the airplane trying to weathervane, so he added full left rudder, which had no effect. With full left rudder, the tailwheel off the ground, and approximately 35 mph of airspeed, the pilot reapplied the left brake. When the left brake was applied, the airplane stopped abruptly and nosed over.

The pilot stated that the runway was approximately 2,500 feet long and orientated on a magnetic heading of 200 degrees. He added that the winds were out of the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, and "weather was not a factor in the accident."

After the accident, while the airplane was still inverted maintenance personnel had difficulty rotating the right tire by hand, but once it started to rotate, it did so freely.

A Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector examined the right wheel assembly and found no anomalies.