What happened
While taxiing for takeoff, an airline transport pilot was operating a newly purchased airplane when the aircraft nosed over. The incident occurred as the pilot applied the heel brakes during the taxi phase. This flight marked the pilot's first time operating the aircraft without the additional weight of a passenger in the rear seat.
The investigation
The investigation examined the configuration of the aircraft, which had undergone several modifications. These included the installation of a nose mounted battery, double puck brakes, and a boosted brake system. The pilot noted that these modifications, combined with the absence of weight in the back seat, resulted in a forward center of gravity. The pilot indicated that he was unfamiliar with this specific aircraft and did not adequately compensate for the tendency of the plane to nose over when using excessive braking.