The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped Ptundradactyl reported that during a test flight, he landed on the 800-foot off-airport sand and gravel surface in Friday Creek, Alaska, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the rudder and the right wing.
He told investigators the accident could have been prevented by landing on surfaces that “would not require the use of much braking until I more fully acclimated myself to the toe brake setup in this plane and to sort out any braking pressure issues a little more thoroughly.”
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s excessive brake application during landing on a short runway due to his lack of familiarity with the toe brakes, which resulted in a nose-over.
This June 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I think it is unlikely the pilot had never used the brakes during taxi or previous operations.
I mean he admitted his own shortcomings.
Line most accidents there is only one person in charge and he fessed up.
Read the report. This was a rush to state this was pilot error.
Experimental aircraft being flown during first hours since built. Unknown if the brakes were dragging (causing heat). Pilot unsure if he had any pressure on the toe brakes.
So, had this happened on a hard surface runway (regular paved), the probable cause would still have been rubber stamped pilot error — No chance of mechanical problem undiscoverable until test flight.