Pilot Debrief

FIEDLER MARK R PA-18 REPLICA near Sandy Valley, NV — 2023-03-12

Final reportWPR23LA139
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Date
2023-03-12
Location
Sandy Valley, NV, USA
Aircraft
FIEDLER MARK R PA-18 REPLICA
Registration
N127MF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an off airport precautionary landing on soft soil, which resulted in a nose over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, he observed an increase of cylinder head temperature along with “abnormal engine operation” and decided to make a precautionary landing, off airport. During the landing roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, the right main tire “sunk” in the soil and the tail of the airplane began to rise. Despite the pilot’s control inputs, the tail continued to rise, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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