N9976YChampion 7ECA · 1964

The pilot was conducting his third solo landing of the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Upon touchdown, he unintentionally applied pressure to the left heel-brake pedal, and the airplane turned to the left, which the pilot attempted to correct using rudder and brake controls. He reported that the tail struck the ground hard, and he then tried to slow the airplane using brakes, which resulted in the airplane tipping onto its nose. The rudder was substantially damaged during the accident sequence.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with heel brakes, and the pilot reported that he had never flown the airplane from the front seat prior to the accident flight. He further added that the rear seat, where he typically flew, provided greater braking authority and opined that this unfamiliar configuration also led him to apply excessive brake pressure.