What happened
On 26 July 2001, a De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AMCK, was engaged in a training flight at Leicester Airport. The weather conditions were stable, with a dry tarmac surface on Runway 10 and a light wind of 07 knots from 130°.
Following the landing, the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to the left to backtrack along the active runway. While performing this maneuver at a walking pace, the aircraft drifted slightly off the centerline. In an effort to correct the position and return to the center, the pilot applied power and full left rudder. During this correction, the instructor's footwear inadvertently engaged the heel brake, causing the aircraft to suddenly pitch forward and land on its nose. The incident resulted in a damaged propeller, though no injuries were sustained by the two crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the turn and the application of the braking system. The aircraft was equipped with a tail wheel and conventional brakes located at the main wheels, which are operated via the pilot's heels. Investigators examined the sequence of the pilot's inputs and the physical interaction between the crew's footwear and the brake controls during the corrective maneuver.