Williams, CA, USA
N3985M
Piper PA 12
Same as Factual Information
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing on a gravel road, he looked to the right and unintentionally steered the airplane to the right into a small ditch. He applied power to force the airplane out of the ditch back onto the road, however, the right main landing gear "locked up due to the weeds wrapping around it". The airplane ground looped and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's over application of power during recovery from a runway excursion, which resulted in a ground loop and nose over.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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