Nose Over: Van's RV-6, N787TL, accident occurred June 01, 2019 at Butler Airpark (4KS7), Rose Hill, Butler County, Kansas

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wichita, Kansas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N787TL

Location: Rose Hill, KS
Accident Number: GAA19CA300 
Date & Time: 06/01/2019, 1830 CDT
Registration: N787TL
Aircraft: Vans VANS ACFT RV 6
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on a grass runway, the airplane nosed over. The pilot acknowledged that he likely landed with the brake pedals depressed. He checked the wheels, and they moved freely.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the vertical stabilizer.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 19.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's unintentional engagement of the brakes before landing, which resulted in a nose-over. 

Findings

Aircraft
Brake - Unintentional use/operation (Cause)

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Nose over/nose down (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/23/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/30/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 463 hours (Total, all aircraft), 70 hours (Total, this make and model), 368 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Vans
Registration: N787TL
Model/Series: VANS ACFT RV 6 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built:Yes 
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 25819
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2019, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 657.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Superior Air Parts
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KIAB, 1371 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2356 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 289°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 15°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Douglass, KS (4KS7)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Douglass, KS (4KS7)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1810 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: BUTLER AIRPARK (4KS7)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1310 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2687 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 37.562778, -97.064167 (est)