What happened
On 21 July 2002, a Corben Junior Ace, Model E, registration G-BSDI, was performing a private flight at Eaglescott Airfield in North Devon. During the landing phase on a dry grass runway, the pilot executed a standard wing-down approach. The aircraft made contact with the runway on the right main wheel and the tail wheel.
As the aircraft decelerated, the tail began to lift despite the pilot maintaining full aft stick. The aircraft continued to slow until it reached a walking pace, at which point the nose tipped forward and made light contact with the ground. The incident resulted in no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the propeller and engine cowling sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's actions during the landing roll. It was noted that the aircraft featured an open cockpit, and the pilot was wearing thermal boots for warmth. The aircraft had undergone a modification to include toe brakes operated by pedals, which were positioned prominently above the rudder pedals on a non-adjustable pivot bar.
Findings
- The landing occurred in fine weather with a crosswind of 10-15 knots.
- The aircraft's tail rose as the landing speed decreased.
- The pilot may have unintentionally applied the brakes while using the rudder to manage the crosswind, due to the specific physical arrangement of the brake and rudder pedals.