Event Details
A pilot practicing touch-and-go landings reported that the airplane began to drift to the right during the maneuver. Attempting to correct, the pilot applied left rudder but found it ineffective. Subsequently, the pilot touched the left heel brake, and the airplane immediately nosed over. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Pilot Observations
The pilot stated that the airplane was equipped with 30.5-gallon fuel tanks in each wing. At the time of the event, the right tank was half full and the left tank was three-quarters full. The pilot believed that the right brake must have engaged when the left brake was touched, causing the sudden nose-over. Additionally, the pilot thought that fuel sloshing forward in the tanks may have contributed to the nose dropping.
Planned Modifications
Following the incident, the pilot intends to replace the existing heel brake system with toe brake pedals. The pilot also plans to replace the fuel tanks with 12-gallon units.