Nose Over: Ptundradactyl, N357WE; accident occurred June 19, 2019 in Friday Creek, Alaska

View of damage to the right wing lift strut.

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aviation Accident Factual 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/N357WE

Location: Friday Creek, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA370
Date & Time: 06/19/2019, 1800 AKD
Registration: N357WE
Aircraft: KIRK ELLIS WENDELL PTUNDRADACTYL
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot in the experimental amateur-built, tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a test flight, he landed on the 800ft-long off airport, sand and gravel surface, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that 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 airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the right wing.

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/28/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/30/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1021 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12 hours (Total, this make and model), 965 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 77 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 41 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: KIRK ELLIS WENDELL
Registration: N357WE
Model/Series: PTUNDRADACTYL
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2019
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 001
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 25 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Superior/Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: SL-0-360-A1X3
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 185 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: PAAQ, 230 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site: 111°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts:  Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Chugiak, AK (PABV)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Friday Creek, AK
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1700 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None 
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.341389, -148.355833 (est)