AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On July 25, 2000, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18 airplane, N1755P, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Cordova Municipal Airport, Cordova, about 1030. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 26, the pilot reported that he had been practicing touch and go landings. He landed on runway 16 which has a gravel surface, and is 1,875 feet long. The pilot said he applied the brakes to come to a stop, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, wings, windshield, and rudder.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The private certificated pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel surface. The pilot applied the brakes to come to a stop, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, wings, windshield, and rudder.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilot's excessive application of the airplane's brakes.

END REPORT