Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that about 30 minutes into the flight, the oil pressure gauge needle entered the yellow (caution) arc. The pilot made a precautionary landing at the nearest airport. However, he decided to land on the grass on the right side of the asphalt runway.
Before landing, he overflew the grass surface to evaluate the surface condition, and he performed a touch-and-go to further assess the surface condition. The third approach and the landing were normal, but during the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels encountered, "a soft patch of muddy soil," and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot reported that the only mechanical malfunction that occurred, was specific to the oil pressure gauge.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA215