Cessna 180K Skywagon, N64251, Network Spares: Accident occurred January 28, 2016 in Sussex, New Jersey

NETWORK SPARES:  http://registry.faa.gov/N64251

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA108 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, January 14, 2016 in Sussex, NJ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/14/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 180, registration: N64251
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The flight instructor reported that during the landing touchdown at night with the student pilot at the flight controls, he "felt the airplane hop a little and immediately felt the left wing drop." He reported that the airplane, "shifted to the right, the nose lifted, and as the airplane settled the airplane nosed over." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, the right wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and rudder. 

The flight instructor did not report any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

As a safety recommendation, the flight instructor reported that, "I believe the accident could have been prevented if I personally executed the landing and not assisted my student in the landing." Additionally, he reported that, "I believe the length of the day and emotional fatigue played a big factor" with the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact, a ground loop, and a nose over.