GAA19CA288

Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust. He applied right rudder to counter the gust, however, his foot slipped "completely off" the right rudder pedal. A runway excursion to the left was imminent, and the pilot attempted to use only the right heel brake to realign the airplane's heading. However, he inadvertently depressed both the left and right heel brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered a wind gust. He applied right rudder to counter the gust; however, his foot slipped off the right rudder pedal. To prevent a runway excursion to the left, the pilot attempted to use only the right heel brake to realign the airplane's heading; however, he inadvertently depressed both the left and right heel brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Unintentional use/operation - C