On June 14, 1998, about 0900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Piper PA-18-160 airplane, N54247, sustained substantial damage during landing, about 30 miles northwest of Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska, about 0630. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 16, the pilot reported that while landing on a gravel bar, he applied excessive braking. The airplane's tail came up, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that: "... it was just pilot error.... I just hit the brakes too hard." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane.